Crucible Theatre book wins British theatre prize

A book detailing the history of Sheffield's Crucible Theatre has won the 2022 Theatre Book Prize, awarded by The Society for Theatre Research.

Stirring Up Sheffield – An Insider’s account of the battle to build the Crucible Theatre, written by the theatre's first artistic director Colin George and his son Tedd, tells the story of how the venue was built and the engagement with local politics and community.

The prize, the only of its kind for books on the performing arts, was first awarded in 1997 and is decided on by a panel of independent jurors.

Theatre director Jatinder Verma, a member of the jury, said the winning book is a “stirring story of our time”.

“[The] story is replete with the bureaucratic and artistic opposition aroused by the radical design Colin George proposed for the theatre, while revelling in the excitement of giving a new shape to the physical relationship between audiences and artists.”

Co-author Tedd George said Stirring Up Sheffield had been transformative for all involved.

“My father struggled for nearly 40 years to write about his experience as the figurehead of the Crucible project and this book helped him come to terms with his creation and once again feel gratitude for the opportunity Sheffield gave him.”