An exciting year.

It looks like there will be a lot of Shakespeare to watch in Sheffield in 2010.
The big one is obviously Hamlet

Shakespeare's masterpiece opens the new autumn season at the Crucible, with British actor John Simm (Life on Mars) starring as the haunted Prince. This bold, modern production is directed by Paul Miller (True West).

The Company will be running auditions for Macbeth next week

Fair is foul, and foul is fair.
As a successful and decorated general, what sparks the transformation from being a loyal, trustworthy servant of the king into a usurper and regicide?
Is it simply justifiable as entirely due to an intervention by a trio of prophetic witches or can the encouragement of a cunning and ambitious wife take the blame?
Or is it just simply that time spent fighting another man's wars is time amplifying the beast within the man until he can only take the violent option?

and while there is nothing on their website about it yet rumours are that SUDS are also looking at doing Shakespeare for their next production.
Heartbreak Productions also have some Shakespeare in their open-air season in the botanical gardens, rather than a whole work we get "Love In Shakespeare"

Follow the journey of our hero Chris as he plays out his own love story through some of the Bard’s best bits. Set in a pub in 2010 this comedic and at times, irreverent tale for our times will inspire and inflame even the bitterest of cynics. Served up with a garnish of heartbreak song, audience interaction and the occasional dance we hope this experience will awaken the Romeo or Juliet in us all.

There are also Shakespeare events in Sheffield Children's Festival and Simon Callow in The Man From Stratford: Being Shakespeare. Please email in any listings to be added to the programme page.