Freddie Fox to star as Romeo in Sheffield Theatres’ new season

Freddie Fox will star in a new production of Romeo and Juliet as part of Sheffield Theatres’ new season, which artistic director Daniel Evans said will celebrate young talent.

The actor has been cast as Romeo in the play, which is directed by Jonathan Humphreys and will feature design by Hannah Clark and lighting by Lizzie Powell. The production runs at the Crucible from September 17 to October 17, with a press night on September 23.

In the summer, James Northcote and Isabella Laughland will appear in a stage adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, which runs at the Crucible from May 14 to June 6 – with a press night on May 19.

Tamara Harvey will direct the production, which is dramatised by Simon Reade. It will also feature design by Lez Brotherston, music composed by Richard Taylor and casting by Lotte Hines.

Later in the season, Evans will direct the musical Show Boat at the Crucible, which he described as the theatre’s “most ambitious Christmas production to date”. It runs from December 10 to January 16, with a press night held on December 16.

Brotherston will design the production, which has choreography by Alistair David. The show features music by Jerome Kern, with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.

The Distance, which premiered at the Orange Tree Theatre last year, will make its regional premiere in the Studio on October 29, running until November 14. A press night will be held on November 3.

Performance art group Third Angel will also revive its 2006 production of Presumption at the Studio to celebrate of the group’s 20th anniversary.

Speaking about the season, Evans said: “I’m thrilled to announce our autumn season, which sees two major classical revivals on our main stage as well as a regional premiere in our Studio. Before then, we look forward to welcoming a wealth of young talent to Sheffield, as Isabella Laughland and James Northcote lead our production of Pride and Prejudice as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy.”

He continued: “This celebration of our youngest and brightest actors continues when Freddie Fox stars in Jonathan Humphreys’ new production of Romeo and Juliet – the first at the Crucible in 20 years.”

The director also described his pride in the company’s current touring productions of Anything Goes and The Absence of War, and added: “These productions are testament to our commitment to taking our work to larger and more diverse audiences within and outside our city region.”