Sheffield Lyceum Archives - North West End UK

12Feb

By NewsdeskNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Bodyguard – Sheffield Lyceum

The Bodyguard has become a staple of the West End since its debut in 2013. It has resonated with and entertained audiences internationally. This particular production, however, sadly gives pause. There are some impressive design features throughout this show, more so in Tim Hatley’s set design and in particular the thriller aspects are particularly strong and excitingly creative. James-Lee Harris’ character of the stalker, for example, appears in a flash of lightning at a door we have stared at continuously, never once recognising their presence until that jump-scare moment. It’s exhilarating. Protagonist Rachel Marron’s residence feels swanky and full of scope, choosing to obscure part of the stage with long, impressive curtains. It’s visually interesting and simultaneously pragm...

To Kill a Mockingbird – Sheffield Lyceum

28Jan

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

To Kill a Mockingbird – Sheffield Lyceum

A man of colour stands accused of a crime he did not commit, and yet he is judged more for the colour of his skin than his words of defence. His white lawyer is judged for representing him. His town is divided along racial lines, and between those who seek progress and those who want to preserve the old way of life. An all-too-common description of events we see in the news in 2026, yes. But also the plot of Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, set in 1930s Alabama. An era defined by the struggle for progress, equality and freedom. A story that remains chillingly relevant today. This production of To Kill a Mockingbird, adapted by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Bartlett Sher, uses Sorkin’s extensive screenwriting experience from shows such as The West Wing and The Newsroom alon...

21Jan

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Yorkshire & Humber

Top Hat – Sheffield Lyceum

Irving Berlin’s classical romantic spectacle ‘Top Hat’ slides its away across Sheffield Theatres’ stages with pomp and playfulness, marking a highly respectable and enjoyable musical instalment to the current season of live entertainment in the heart of the city. Matthew White & Howard Jacques author the piece, based on the 1935 film of the same name starring icons Fred Astaire and Ginger Roberts. Their script is almost a clean emulation of the original work, the plot unchanged bar some superficial rearrangements, with even many of the lines mirrored. This is both admirable and unavoidably slightly kitsch. It is inescapably of its time which lends itself to nostalgic and historic appreciation, but in 2026 it draws few parallels to our days. The show functions as glitzy escapism, whi...

14Jan

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Rocky Horror Show – Sheffield Lyceum

Sheffield waited with antici……….pation and at last the Rocky Horror Show crash landed into the Sheffield Lyceum. With a well versed and non-virginal Rocky audience there were more sparkly tailcoats and top hats, green surgical gowns, heavy rocker leather jackets and more basques, corsets and suspenders than you can find in Ann Summers and this production did not disappoint. After first seeing Richard O Brien’s Rocky Horror Show on its original UK tour in 79/80 (as a 14-year-old schoolgirl with a music teacher who didn’t do his research homework very well and was subsequently horrified he may lose his job!) I am somewhat of a connoisseur it could be said, and after sampling over 60 visits to Frank’s castle the question was - could this production still fill me with the amazement of my first...

Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana – Sheffield Lyceum

9Jan

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana – Sheffield Lyceum

The Nutcracker is inextricably linked to the Christmas season; a young girl, Clara, receives a gift of a nutcracker doll and as she sleeps, the doll transforms into a handsome prince and draws her into a world of adventure and fantasy. This version of that classic tale, Nutcracker in Havana, is transported into a Cuban setting by renowned Cuban ballet dancer Carlos Acosta, here serving as artistic director and choreographer. The show opened with a swirling video-projected tour of the streets of Havana which really helped to set the scene and highlight the changes from the off. However, as someone who suffers with quite severe motion sickness, I did struggle a little and I would have liked to have known that before it started! Acosta has cleverly woven aspects of Cuban culture and dan...

Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift – Sheffield Lyceum

26Nov

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift – Sheffield Lyceum

A Murderous Midsomer maze of twists, turns and dead ends! Originally penned by Caroline Graham in 1987, the first ever TV episode of Midsomer Murders - The Killings at Badger’s Drift aired in March of 1997 and became the highest rated single drama of the year. With the firm TV favourite John Nettles as Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby and Daniel Casey as his sidekick Sergeant Troy - the dead body of Emily Simpson, the elderly ex school teacher; gentle and orchid-loving; is discovered in her idyllic cottage in the seemly sleepy village of Badger’s Drift in the county of Midsomer. The thrilling and charming series became a firm TV favourite with its interjection of wit juxtaposing its dark undercurrents and shocking twists. This first ever episode now takes to the stage a...

21Nov

By Jo TillotsonNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Here and Now – Sheffield Lyceum

There are certain birthdays in your life that make you think. What is that makes you happy? What does it mean to love and be loved? And just what does your future hold? In Here and Now: the STEPS musical, we meet Caz approaching her 50th birthday, asking those questions of herself and her close group of friends who all work together at the local supermarket. This is not just another jukebox musical. The creative team has delivered a story – written by Shaun Kitchener – with real heart and convincing vulnerability, peppered with just the right amount of camp and chaos you would expect from the music of STEPS! Director Rachel Kavanaugh has cleverly and successfully woven together the expectations of a solid pop fanbase with the desire to make a compelling piece of musical theatre, even fo...

13Nov

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

The Band – Sheffield Lyceum

The Cast ‘Shine’ with a heart of pure gold! A STOS production worthy of its 125 years anniversary! With title changes including ‘The Official Take That Musical - Greatest Days’ and a TV talent show, a UK tour and finally the result of these changes, what you see today – as STOS Theatre Company bring - The Band A new musical by Tim Firth with the music of Take That - to the Sheffield Lyceum in their 125th anniversary year. And what a fitting celebration of a show it is to mark this milestone! I was fully invested and smiled from the very first scene to the final crowd pleasing medley. It was warm, it was nostalgic and it was thought provoking what more can you ask for from a night at the theatre! But let’s consider why all the changes before this production? It would seem people were expect...

Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts – Sheffield Lyceum

30Oct

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts – Sheffield Lyceum

Billed as a ‘thrilling murder mystery featuring the iconic Inspector Morse’, House of Ghosts arrives in Sheffield to fulfil the gap the much missed TV Series left, 25 years ago. Based on Colin Dexter’s characters and written by Morse scriptwriter Alma Cullen the production goes some way towards filling the void Jon Thaw left and is a must experience for bereft Morse fans. The house of Ghosts refers to Morse’s past rather than the ghoulish variety as we are transported back to 1987 to the City of Oxford. The play opens as a play within a play, as we are greeted with a rather amateur stage version of Hamlet (Spin Glancy) and it is as Ophelia (Eliza Teale) enters the scene we witness her stutter, raise her hand to her mouth as blood falls onto her white gown and within seconds she is dead....

22Oct

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Yorkshire & Humber

Dear England – Sheffield Lyceum

Brought by the National Theatre, this production covers the sporting tale of near-missing, culture-creating half-darling of the English eye Gareth Southgate, and his impactful tenure as manager of the England men’s national football team. Whilst it flirts with the bluster of testosterone fuelled dressing rooms, it brings with it a very deliberate and in-your-face softness that is credited as being part of the winning formula for Southgate and the England team. Except they didn’t win. So why are we hearing this story? The first thing that needs to be said is Es Devlin’s set design is sensational. Slick, bold and powerful, it is alive and breathing and extremely well utilised. Jon Clark’s lighting design accompanied with Ash J Woodward’s video design make the piece a pleasant feast ...