Sheffield Theatres and PET-Xi Partner for THE WINTER'S TALE at Crucible, Now thru Nov 2

Sheffield Theatres and PET-Xi, one of the largest training providers in the UK, have partnered together to bring Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale to life on the Crucible stage this month.

Leading lights for training, equipping and inspiring young people, PET-Xi is based in Sheffield's Sheaf Centre and represents one of the largest training providers in the UK. In the last year, 4,900 students have been awarded over 8,000 GCSE equivalents through PET-Xi courses across the country. Supporting Sheffield Theatres' production of The Winter's Tale, the company aim to inspire more students to achieve success.

Jak Moore represents one of the company's success stories. A sixteen-year old who grew up in Gleadless Valley, Sheffield, Jak enrolled on a 10 week training course with PET-Xi which included a 5 week placement at Sheffield Theatres. During this time, Jak worked as a Sound Assistant for 20 Tiny Plays About Sheffield, as part of a 75 member crew for the Sheffield People's Theatre production in April this year.

Jak says; 'The main aim of the PET-Xi training course was to give me a solid understanding of what voluntary work entails. It looked at the theory underpinning the principles of volunteering, and why people choose to do it. The course allowed me to focus on my personal goals, and taught me to develop my areas of interest into a career plan'.

This season's first Sheffield Theatres production on the Crucible stage, The Winter's Tale, follows the story of young love and redemption in the midst of sorrow and uncertainty. Whilst the play follows a magical and mysterious journey of kings, queens and changelings, the plot resonates with the experiences of many young people today, in the battle to find one's true identity and live life to the full.

Dan Bates, Chief Executive of Sheffield Theatres said: "We really appreciate PET-Xi's support of The Winter's Tale. The experience of theatre has the power to change people's lives - something we're passionate about. It has been great to partner with PET-Xi as a business that is committed to inspiring and encouraging young people to pursue their ambitions. I am delighted that Sheffield Theatres will welcome hundreds of young people over the coming weeks for our production of The Winter's Tale and that PET-Xi have been partners in bringing this production to our audiences."

Crucible Lyceum Studio 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA
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The Winter's Tale will play the Crucible Theatre now thorugh Sat 2 November. Tickets £17.00- £25.00* with discounts available.

Sheffield Theatres' autumn season includes a co-production with High Tide Festival Theatre of Alexander Masters' Stuart: A Life Backwards, written by BAFTA award-winner Jack Thorne, Shakespeare's fantastical story The Winter's Tale, directed by Paul Miller and the world premiere of the intensely moving Love Your Soldiers by Robin Hooper, directed by Richard Wilson.

Find out more details about our season by visiting our website here or join in the conversation on Facebook and Twitter (Crucible or Lyceum). Box Office 0114 249 6000

Sheffield Theatres is supporting My Theatre Matters!, a major national campaign that invites people to shout about how important their local theatre is to them. Find out more at www.mytheatrematters.com.