Well-known faces from film and television - Ian McDiarmid and Mathew Horne - head the line-up of actors in Shakespeare productions at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre (aff)
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Star Wars actor Ian McDiarmid and telly’s Gavin & Stacey cast member Mathew Horne will star in Shakespeare productions at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.
Ian, an Olivier and Tony Award-winning theatre actor, takes the title role in King Lear, which runs from August 29 until September 19, 2026. King Lear is a role which Ian is familiar with and one which earned him the Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Actor in 2005. Ian has multiple screen credits including Palpatine in the Star Wars franchise.
Mathew is cast as Malvolio in Twelfth Night which will be presented at the Crucible Theatre from October 10 to 31. He is best known for playing Gavin Shipman in Gavin & Stacey.
A full company of actors will perform across the double bill playing two or more roles during the season, which is a rare event in contemporary theatre.
The company includes David Birrell as Gloucester/Feste, James Chetwood as Oswald/Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Mark Holgate as Kent/Antonio, Christopher Jordan as Curan/Priest/Valentine & Second Officer, Justina Kehinde as Regan/Olivia, Hazel Monaghan as Swing/Actor-Musician, Harry Redding as Edgar/Sebastian, Max Revell as Fool/Curio, Jay Saighal as Cornwall/Fabian, Bebe Sanders as Cordelia/Viola, Sachin K Sharma as France/Captain & Sea Captain/First Officer, Fode Simbo as Edmund/Orsino, Milo Twomey as Albany/Sir Toby Belch and Katie Wimpenny as Goneril/Maria.
Titas Halder is directing King Lear and Jamie Glover is director of Twelfth Night.
Elizabeth Newman, artistic director at the Crucible Theatre, said: “As I began to conceive of our 2026 autumn season I could not stop thinking about where the world is right now. And, at this moment, it feels more important than ever that we offer our audiences work of the highest quality, ambition and imagination. As Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres, I can think of no better way to do that than by filling the Crucible - a theatre conceived as a home for great drama - with two of Shakespeare's greatest plays, brought to life by a truly world-class company of actors. This idea of a company of actors bringing both productions to life feels like a true celebration of theatre and of everything Shakespeare himself championed – the power of an ensemble of players.
“It is a privilege to welcome Ian McDiarmid back to the Crucible to take on the monumental role of Lear and to welcome the wonderful Mathew Horne to join our Shakespearean company to play Malvolio. And, on a very personal note, this autumn has a special significance as I’ve been able to work with the brilliant directors Titas Halder and Jamie Glover and collaborate with one of my predecessors, the extraordinary Michael Grandage. Making this Shakespeare season really does feel like a landmark moment in the theatre’s history. I cannot wait to welcome audiences into the Crucible.”
Michael Grandage, Artistic Director of MGC added: “Elizabeth Newman continues to put Sheffield Theatres at the centre of the UK’s creative output and I am delighted MGC can join her for this hugely ambitious season. Apart from anything else, it's a wonderful opportunity for me to return to the Crucible and engage with all the great work that is going on.”
TIcket prices for King Lear or Twelfth Night start at £15, go to www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.