Stirring Up Sheffield: An Insider's Account of the Battle to Build the Crucible Theatre

Written by the Crucible Theatre's first Artistic Director, Colin George, and his son, Tedd, 'Stirring Up Sheffield' is the extraordinary story of a group of visionaries who came together to build a revolutionary thrust stage theatre in Sheffield. With a foreword by Ian McKellen and original photography from the era, this is an insider's account of the battle to redefine the actor/audience relationship.

50 years ago, opposition to the Crucible came in thick and fast. The Star newspaper urged its readers to join the debate and published articles that derided the new building quoting Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir John Clements and Sir Bernard Mills, who referred to the stage as 'a kind of freak that would be out of date in seven years' time'. But the theatre proved them all wrong and galvanised a new generation of Britain's actors, directors, designers and playwrights who recognised the thrust stage and its theatrical potential.

"This is an adventure book. It's the story of how, against the odds, a new theatre was designed and built in Sheffield, where it is now, fifty years on, established as the city's glory.' - Ian McKellen.

Author: Colin George, Tedd George
Publisher: Wordville
Published: 11/09/2021
Pages: 420
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.68lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.94d
ISBN: 9781838403621

About the Author
George, Colin: - Colin George was the founding Artistic Director of the Crucible Theatre. Born in Pembroke Dock, Wales, in 1929, Colin read English at University College, Oxford, and was a founding member of the Oxford and Cambridge Players. After acting in the repertory companies of Coventry and Birmingham, Colin joined the Nottingham Playhouse in 1958 as Assistant Director to Val May. In 1962, he was appointed as Assistant Director at the Sheffield Playhouse, becoming Artistic Director in 1965. Colin played a leading role in the creation of the Crucible Theatre, which opened in November 1971, and was the Crucible's Artistic Director from 1971 to 1974.Colin worked as Artistic Director of the Adelaide State Theatre Company (1976-1980), as Artistic Director of the Anglo-Chinese Chung Ying Theatre Company (1983-1985) and as Head of Drama at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (1985-1992). Colin joined the Royal Shakespeare Company as an actor (1994-96 & 1997-99).In 2011 Colin was invited by the Crucible's Artistic Director, Daniel Evans, to join the Company for the 40th anniversary production of Othello. This was to be his last theatrical performance and, fittingly, it took place on the thrust stage he had created. Following Othello, Colin produced the first draft of this book, before his death in October 2016.George, Tedd: - Tedd George (aka Dr Edward George), is a writer and economist. Tedd has a PhD in political science from the University of Bristol. His book-The Cuban intervention in Angola, 1965-1991: from Che Guevara to Cuito Cuanavale-was published by Routledge in 2005.From 2005 to 2011, Tedd worked in the Africa Department of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), with responsibility for Lusophone and Francophone Africa. Tedd worked as Head of Research and Head of the UK for pan-African bank, Ecobank before setting up his own company, Kleos Advisory Ltd, which provides thought leadership and strategic advisory on African markets. Tedd regularly appears as chair, speaker and moderator on the world conference and webinar circuit, and as a commentator in the media.

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