Crucible theatre refurbishment set to complete

Sheffield’s Crucible theatre completes its £15.3m phased refurbishment next month, when it will unveil the remaining interiors by architect Burrell Foley Fischer.

Sheffield Theatres appointed BFF in 2005, following a competitive pitch, and briefed the architect to complete a twophase refurbishment of the 1970s theatre.

Alterations to the original interior design were kept to a minimum, but the box office has been moved from its sunken position on the central ‘street’ running through the theatre to a location nearer the entrance.

The new box office features a counter front made out of recycled banknotes, which BFF principal Mark Foley calls ‘a subliminal gesture, as you wouldn’t judge that by looking at it’.

Foley says, ‘The interiors were groundbreaking when they were created, so we wanted to remain faithful to them, down to the pattern on the carpet.’

Nevertheless, BFF has given the interiors ‘a contemporary uplift’, including introducing splashes of orange to the colour palette of the bar area.

Foley claims that the final budget fell short of its original target, which has prevented BFF from completing all of its plans. These include the creation of a new restaurant annex to the left of the entrance.

Phase one saw the refurbishment of the theatre’s public areas, including the auditorium, foyer, bars, box office and reception. Phase two, which Foley says will be completed on 7 December, includes the function rooms above the foyer, and the backstage and production areas.