Jack O'Connell to star in Sheffield Theatre's 2016 season

• Jack O’Connell to star in new Richard Bean play
• New season features three world premieres and a new British musical
• New productions of A Raisin in the Sun and Waiting for Godot

Sheffield Theatres have announced their new season which features three world premieres, a new British Musical and new productions of A Raisin in the Sun and Waiting for Godot.

The season kicks off on 28 January with a major new revival of A Raisin in the Sun directed by Dawn Walton in a co-production between her company Eclipse, Sheffield Theatres and Belgrade Theatre Coventry. Ian Charleson Award-winning Ashley Zhangazha will play Walter Lee Younger. He is joined by Llewella Gideon as Lena Younger.

This is followed from 4 February by Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, directed by Charlotte Gwinner. Casting is yet to be announced.

The home of the World Snooker Championships, the Crucible, will play host to Richard Wilson‘s production of Richard Bean‘s new comedy thriller set in the world of snooker, from 10 March, starring BAFTA Award-winning actor Jack O’Connell.

From 18 May, Daniel Evans will direct Richard Taylor and Rachel Wagstaff‘s new musical Flowers for Mrs Harris, based on the novel by Paul Gallico. Clare Burt (London Road, Cats, Aspects of Love) will play Mrs Harris.

Mike Bartlett‘s Contractions will see Lisa Blair make her directorial debut from 23 June and Sheffield People’s Theatre will perform Chris Bush‘s new play A Dream – ‘a modern day mash up of Shakespearean romance’ from 13 July.

Talking about the new season, artistic director Daniel Evans said today:

"This is, without doubt, our boldest season to date.  We’re announcing 7 original productions: three new plays, a new British musical, a regional première and two major revivals of 20th century classics. 

"We’re looking forward to welcoming actors of the calibre of Jack O’Connell, Ashley Zhangazha and Clare Burt to the Crucible to collaborate with us and I’m thrilled that Lisa Blair makes her directorial debut with us this summer."