Full company and creatives announced for Sheffield Crucible's Shakespeare Season
by Best of Theatre Staff on Monday 20 July 2026, 11:04 am in Cast Changes and Announcements
Sheffield Theatres has revealed the full company and creative teams for its autumn Shakespeare Season at the Crucible — a double bill of King Lear, starring Ian McDiarmid, and Twelfth Night, starring Mathew Horne, with a single ensemble playing across both productions.
Sheffield Theatres has announced the full company of actors who will play across a double bill of two major Shakespearean productions in the world-famous Crucible Theatre this autumn. In a rare event in contemporary theatre, the company will each play two or more roles across the season, appearing in both productions.
They join the previously announced Olivier and Tony Award winner Ian McDiarmid (Star Wars) as Lear in King Lear, directed by Donmar Warehouse Associate Artistic Director Titas Halder (The Dance of Death), which plays Saturday 29 August to Saturday 19 September; and Mathew Horne (Gavin & Stacey) as Malvolio in Twelfth Night, directed by Jamie Glover (The Homecoming), which plays from Saturday 10 to Saturday 31 October 2026.
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.
Director of King Lear, Titas Halder, said: "What a fabulous company we have to make these two very special plays with. I'm delighted to be working with these wonderful actors. Matilda James has done the most exceptional job as casting director, and it has been a pleasure to work alongside her and Jamie to assemble this fantastic group."
Director of Twelfth Night, Jamie Glover, said: "It has been a true joy working alongside Titas and the wonderful Matilda James to assemble this exceptional cast of actors. I cannot wait to get into the room with them and start work on Twelfth Night. But I'm equally excited to simply get to watch the magic they will bring to what I am certain will be a gripping, thrilling production of King Lear."
Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres, Elizabeth Newman, said: "It feels more important than ever that we offer our audiences work of the highest quality, ambition and imagination. 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."
She added: "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. 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."
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."
The full creative team for King Lear is director Titas Halder, set and costume designer Richard Kent, lighting designer Ryan Day, composer Sarah Angliss, sound designer Emma Laxton, fight, movement and intimacy director Yarit Dor, associate fight director Enric Ortuño, casting director Matilda James, dramaturg Sophie Duncan, associate director Vicky Moran, voice and text coach Barbara Houseman and assistant director Marc Small. King Lear is presented in association with MGC, marking a reunion for Sheffield Theatres and former Artistic Director Michael Grandage.
The full creative team for Twelfth Night is director Jamie Glover, set and costume designer Amanda Stoodley, lighting designer Richard Howell, composer and musical director Genevieve Dawson, sound designer Raffaela Pancucci, movement director Charlotte Broom, casting director Matilda James, associate director Vicky Moran, voice and text coach Barbara Houseman and assistant director Marc Small.
King Lear runs Saturday 29 August to Saturday 19 September 2026 (press night Friday 4 September), and Twelfth Night runs Saturday 10 to Saturday 31 October 2026 (press night Friday 16 October), both in the Crucible.