Excitement is building over the upcoming ‘Together Season’, a joint event by various Sheffield theatres as restrictions are eased.
The event will start on Monday 24 May and run until Saturday 5 June. Part of a new initiative by Sheffield theatres to highlight local and rising artists in the area, it will take place on The Crucible stage.
Ray Castleton, acto
r and playwright said: “It’s very exciting and nice to have your work organised by the best regional theatre in the country and to be a part of this is really amazing.
“I think it’s time to get the industry back up and running again”.
Castleton will be performing the one-man monologue called ‘Without malice or ill will’, detailing the life and career of a retired Yorkshire police officer who shares his experiences with the audience in an intimate monologue.
It explores the effects of the mining strikes of the 70s on the community and has been described as funny and thought provoking.
Previously, the monologue won best theatre production and best male actor for Castleton at the 2019 Buxton festival fringe.
After more than a year of lockdowns and disruption to live theatre, Castleton hopes the programme can help bring back the joy of live performances.
He said: “I am trying to be optimistic, and I hope people are as hungry as we are to be back in the theatre, I understand people’s fears, but I hope people return in the same numbers as before.”
The line-up was curated by an expert panel, led by RTYDS Associate Director Anthony Lau. It includes a live screening of the smash hit stage play ‘Touching the Void’ along with many more plays and screenings.
Closing night of the festival will see Sheffield’s former poet-laureate Otis Mensah return to The Crucible stage for a highly anticipated performance.