Sheffield Theatres Presents MACBETH in the Round Beginning Tonight, Sept 5

Shakespeare's Macbeth opens Sheffield Theatres' autumn season in the Crucible, on a unique in-the-round stage from tonight, 5 September until Saturday 6 October.

The first revival of this classic tragedy at the theatre in over fifteen years, Sheffield Theatres' Artistic Director Daniel Evans brings this new staging to life, transforming the Crucible into an in-the-round venue. An extra section of tiered seating is being built behind the current stage to allow audiences the unique opportunity to sit on all sides of the action.

Shakespeare's shortest and most bloody tragedy, Macbeth is a potent cocktail of deception, betrayal, ambition and witchcraft. Leading the cast are Geoffrey Streatfeild (Copenhagen, Spooks) as the power hungry Macbeth and Claudie Blakley (Lark Rise to Candleford, King Lear) as the manipulative and determined Lady Macbeth.

Four local Sheffield boys will also join the cast for the run of Macbeth; thirteen year old Jay Olpin and fifteen year old Ethan Carley will share the roles of Third Apparition, Macduff's son and Servant, and Charlie Norburn (aged sixteen) and Joseph Pass (aged fifteen) will play Fleance, Second Apparition and Siward's son.

Joining the Creative Team alongside Daniel Evans are designer Richard Kent (Richard II, Donmar Warehouse), Lighting Designer David Plater, Composer and Sound Designer Richard Taylor, Fight Director Terry King, and Voice Coach Barbara Houseman.

Sheffield Theatres' Artistic Director Daniel Evans said: 'I'm thrilled to be continuing our tradition of staging Shakespeare on the Crucible stage with Macbeth this autumn. It's also terrific to welcome Claudie and Geoffrey back to Sheffield. Two of the finest actors of their generation, both are hugely experienced with Shakespeare, having spent seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company. I am particularly excited that we are reconfiguring the auditorium so that we can present this dark, psychological thriller in-the-round.'

Macbeth marks the third large-scale Shakespearean tragedy to be performed on the Crucible stage in as many years, following on from the success of Othello last year and Hamlet in 2010, and forms part of the Crucible's 40th anniversary celebrations.

First time theatre bookers will be able to experience Macbeth for just 40 pence on any Friday performance, the final production in Sheffield Theatres' First Time Friday initiative with East Midlands Trains.

Tickets for Macbeth are on sale now from Sheffield Theatres' Box Office, priced from £17.00 - £25.00. Call 0114 249 6000 or visit sheffieldtheatres.co.uk to book.