This timeline is a whistle-stop tour of the story so far of the Sherman through key moments or things we think really sum up what makes the Sherman special. It isn’t exhaustive, some key moments may have accidentally been missed as teams change over the years but if there are omissions they are not intentional. If you have worked at the Sherman or simply feel that there is something missing from the timeline we should include please email marketing@shermantheatre.co.uk and we will be very happy to include it. We have taken great care to ensure the information on the timeline is accurate. Of course if there are any inaccuracies please let us know and they will be corrected. Alternatively share your Sherman memories and stories with us and others through our What’s Your Sherman Story? Campaign.
We would also like to wish a big thank you to everyone who has assisted in the creation of this timeline.
C.W.L (Bill) Bevan, Principal of University College Cardiff (now Cardiff University) convenes a working party and invites Geoffrey Axworthy to put forward a proposal to use a substantial donation to University College from the Harry and Abe Sherman Foundation to create a major new arts centre in the city.
Geoffrey Axworthy reviewed the provision of arts venues in Cardiff and saw that there was a real need for a modern theatre. His vision for the building included a larger auditorium with a proscenium arch (Main Stage now known as the Main House) and a smaller flexible space (Arena now known as the Studio).
Sherman Theatre is designed by architects Alex Gordon and Partners and operated by University College Cardiff. It took two years to plan and three years to build as part of the University campus. The foundation stone was laid on 5 November 1968 by George Thomas, the Secretary of State for Wales, later Viscount Tonypandy.
Sherman Theatre would present touring professional theatre, Welsh language theatre, local amateur productions, experimental theatre, musicals, dance, concerts, poetry, art exhibitions, lectures and films for the local and wider community, arts professionals, the university and its students. The working party raises further funds to realise the project from the University Grants Committee, the Arts Council Housing the Arts Fund and the British Film Institute.
Sherman Theatre opens its doors on 3 October with a screening in the Main House of Ken Russell’s The Savage Messiah. Geoffrey Axworthy is the Director, Branwen Iorwerth the first Theatre Manager and Peter Woodham the Technical Director. On Friday 23 November Prince Philip officially opens Sherman Theatre. Trustees of the Sherman Foundation Mrs Anne and Mrs Lily Sherman are in attendance. In late November Gogol’s The Government Inspector, performed by the Welsh Drama Company, is the first production to be staged in the Main House.
Other events in the first two months included the only performance in Britain by Georges Brassens, Prospect Theatre Company with Pericles, the first Welsh language event by Theatr yr Ymylon, Teyrnged – a tribute to Saunders Lewis on his 80th birthday and The Welsh Dylan – a multimedia exhibition to mark the 20th anniversary of the poet’s death in the Arena.
The first full year of performances includes the first production in the Welsh language – Twm Sion Cati performed by Theatr Yr Ymylon.
Eugene Ionesco received the Welsh Arts Council International prize for writers and attended a symposium on the discussion of his work in the Main House. There were productions by the National Theatre Company with Trevor Griffiths’ The Party, Moving Being with Dreamplay, Caricature Theatre with the Phantom Tollbooth, the Welsh Drama Company with Hywel Bennett in Chekov’s The Seagull as well as the Welsh Dance Theatre.
In the Arena, Hull Truck and Joint Stock companies performed alongside local amateur theatre and a UCC Music Department opera workshop. Monday night Film Society and late night Friday screenings proved extremely popular.
The unique Postgraduate Theatre Course is launched and taught by professional theatre staff. Alumni will include Mike James, Russell T. Davies, Mike Pearson and Hugh Canning. Adrian Mitchell is the resident writer, The Sherman Arena Company showcases the work of the Postgraduate students and tours Britain and abroad.
Vibrant visual arts exhibitions have delighted audiences pre-show and at the interval since the theatre opened. This year programmes in the Exhibition Gallery include Photographs of Wales by John Piper. Jake Thackray, Science Week and the International Yo-yo Championship are also presented.
Theatre companies Paines Plough, Pip Simmons and Shared Experience all make their first visits to the Sherman with performances in the Studio. Friedrich Durrenmatt, winner of the Welsh Arts Council International Writer’s Prize attended the Festival held in his name. The giant film photomural commissioned for the staircase wall of the foyer from Mark Dalton and funded by the BFI was opened by Philip Jenkinson.
As part of its role as a Regional Film Theatre, part of the BFI network, the Sherman Film Society screens films every Monday evening. In this year it wins the British Federation of Film Societies award for Film Society of the Year. Classic films screened include Celine and Julie go Boating, Barry Lyndon, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser and Westworld. Sherman Theatre take part in the ASSITEJ International Theatre Festival for young people which is staged across Wales.
Ted Hughes, later Poet Laureate, gives a reading, and Poetry for May Day in the Arena is a twelve hour non-stop marathon poetry reading featuring Roger McGough, Laurie Lee, Cyril Fletcher, Adrian Mitchell, Bob Cobbing and many others.
Over 300,000 tickets have been sold since the theatre first opened five years ago. In the first five years 1,545 live professional, student and community performances have taken place. The Sherman continues to offer world class events including Yehudi Menuhin performing and launching Live Music Now in Wales, a production from the Fishguard Festival of Alan Hoddinott’s What the Old Man Does is Always Right, and a stunning exhibition of work by Marevna, the partner of artist Diego Rivera and mother of actress and singer, Marika Rivera.
In August, the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Frenhinol Cymru is hosted in Cardiff with events taking place in the Sherman Main House and Studio.
Geoffery Axworthy and Hector Del Puerto produce an adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The Sherman serves as a base for the International Festival of Entertainment for Young People hosting 35 companies from 17 countries, which performed all over Wales culminating in a conference at the Sherman.
Over 18 months since the original UK release, audiences are eager to rewatch the original Star Wars film in preparation for the upcoming sequel, with the Sherman dedicating an entire week of screenings to the film. For the first time credit cards can now be made for purchasing tickets in person or over the phone.
Following the hugely successful radio broadcast of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Theatr Clwyd bring their stage adaptation to the Sherman. Running for a mammoth 5 hours, the play can be watched in full or on three successive evenings. Space food and Moon-ade are available from the bar to keep patrons suitably fed and watered.
Sherman Regulars, the first membership scheme launches entitling members to a 50p discount on all tickets.
The Sherman launches its first Subscription Season of live theatre. Six plays by Theatr Clwyd and Theatre Wales including Macbeth and Translations by Brian Friel starring Philip Madoc. For the first time, well-known Welsh language music group, A’r Log visit the Sherman on their tour with legendary Welsh language singer and activist, Dafydd Iwan, as a part of ‘Taith 700’, a commemoration of the influental Welsh monarch, Llywelyn the Last.
Sherman Theatre celebrates its 10 year anniversary. Sherman has gone from strength to strength, establishing itself as a cultural hub of South Wales. Audiences pack in to see films, attend workshops, lectures and watch world class touring productions. The very successful Subscription Season is extended to eight major productions including Ibsen’s Ghosts.
University College Cardiff’s science faculty takes over the whole building with Science Week to show that imaginative science teaching makes superb theatre. Professor John Beetlestone who spearheaded Science week went on to found Techniquest in Cardiff Bay with Science week at the Sherman having been the precursor. The next decade is going to be instrumental in cementing the future of the Sherman
The Sherman Arena Company tours Love’s Labour’s Lost to Liverpool and Paris. Sherman Theatre mounts its own Christmas production – Oz! with script and music by Mike James.
Cardiff & South Glamorgan Council make a substantial contribution to the funding of Sherman Theatre with a £13,000 grant. This is used to fund a renovation programme. The Theatre will have a new public bar and for the first time a seated area for audiences to relax in during intervals. Backstage, roles are being filled in a newly formed production department in preparation for some exciting news in 1985.
In February, Sherman Theatre receives a grant of £125,000 to develop an in-house mainstream English language theatre for South Wales. In October, The Sherman Theatre Company is formed under the joint artistic directorship of Gareth Armstrong, Geoffrey Axworthy and Mike James. Their first show, Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale is directed by Gareth Armstrong and stars Angharad Rees and Di Botcher. The Christmas production is Harry’s Comet written and directed by Mike James.
Sherman Theatre Company productions include Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers, Side by Side by Sondheim directed by Geoffrey Axworthy, and Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing. Its first touring production – A Day in the Death of Joe Egg by Peter Nichols tours to twelve venues around Wales including Bangor, Bulith Wells, Harlech, Lampeter and Swansea. This year’s Christmas show is The Amazing Mr. Toad, again written by Mike James with poster artwork designed by Russell T. Davies .
Due to its own financial crisis the University College Cardiff announces that it is withdrawing its funding from the theatre which is threatened with closure at the end of July. The Sherman’s staff, David Stacey, chairman of the Sherman Theatre Company and Welsh Secretary of State, Nicholas Edwards work to secure the future of the theatre. The people of South Wales join in with the Save the Sherman campaign, as they rally together with thousands of letters, petitions signed and demonstrations supported.
“I know what a glorious venue the Sherman is for both artists and audiences, its loss would be distressingly wasteful of the vital contribution theatre makes to the community.” Derek Jacobi
The Arts Council of Great Britain agrees to purchase the Sherman Theatre from the University College for the nation and a new independent charitable company, Sherman Theatre Limited is formed. Mike James is appointed Artistic Director designate. Whilst Sherman Summer Schools had been held previously, this year sees an official Sherman Youth Theatre Project launch running to the same schedule as the school terms all year round.
With funds continuing to be required to ensure the Sherman’s doors remain open, A Meet the Stars celebrity fundraiser is mounted with stars including Fenella Fielding, Glyn Houston and Roy Hudd all lending their support. Audiences continue to flock to performances, including Joe Orton’s Entertaining Mr Sloane and Alan Ayckbourne’s Confusions.
Geoffery Axworthy’s hugely important tenure as founding Director and then Artistic Director of the Sherman Theatre Company comes to an end as he retires. Mike James is appointed as Artistic Director. Sir Ian McKellen visits Sherman Theatre as part of his Acting Shakespeare tour.
Mike James steps down. The Board appoints two consultants to prepare a report into the theatres long term future. Dalier Sylw – a new Welsh language company stage their first production, Adar Heb Adennydd by Edward Thomas. The company was founded by Peter Edwards, Sion Eirian, Bethan Jones and Eryl Phillips. Sir Kingsley Amis attends the opening night of a stage version of The Old Devils, his Booker Prize winning novel. The performance stars Phillip Madoc and Meg Wynn Owen.
Phil Clark is appointed Artistic Director. His artistic vision has young people at its core. He announces his ambition to transform Sherman Theatre into a Theatre for Young People.
“I was very clear when I took over that it should be peopled by young people. The fact that nearly 250-300 young people use this building every week to make their own youth theatre is absolutely essential to the ethos of this building – that the product we create is looking at the needs of a young audience.” Phil Clark.
Prince Edward visits the Sherman on behalf of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. The Theatre has been holding a five day residential course for youngsters to work towards their Duke Of Edinburgh Gold Award and is the only theatre in the whole of Britain operating as an Open Award Centre. The Sherman was singled out after being praised by Prince Edward for its thriving youth policy on an earlier visit.
Legendary actor Sian Phillips becomes the Sherman’s first ever patron. Throughout the summer months a large scale renovation project is undertaken. A new bar, logo, shop and performance area, as well as improved facilities for disabled patrons are introduced.
An adaptation of Matilda by Roald Dahl, directed by Phil Clark is staged marking the start of the Sherman’s commitment towards producing fresh new work for young people. This year The Pathway Home is the first under 7’s Christmas show to go on tour.
Sherman Theatre stages a production of Under Milk Wood. The show is seen by over 40,000 people on tour across Britain and goes on tour to the USA in the following year.
The Sherman performs another highly successful Christmas production for young people – The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper, directed by Phil Clark and co-directed by Youth Theatre Leader, Alison Gerrish. The Dark is Rising was selected in The Times ‘Top Ten Christmas Shows in Britain.’ Wales’ only Young People’s Theatre announces the first Welsh International Children’s Theatre Festival to be held in Cardiff. It brings together some of Wales’ most important companies, which included names like: Frân Wen, Hijinx, Arad Goch & Theatr Iolo.
Sherman Theatre wins BBC Arts Enabling Award. Bob Kingdom performs in a touring production – Dylan Thomas: Return Journey directed by Sir Anthony Hopkins.
Sherman Summer School production participants perform on the main stage alongside a professional cast for the first time in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A hugely successful Sherman production of Ghosts by Ibsen starring Sian Phillips is also presented.
The Sherman & HTV co-launch a successful lunch-time drama initiative. For the first time, two companies will come together to present four contrasting pictures of Welsh life in the form of short plays written by local writers. The plays would be performed in the Sherman first, to later transfer to the HTV studios in Culverhouse Cross for broadcasting.
A massive collaborative piece entitled A Generation Rises brings together eight writers, 40 young people and four professional actors and takes a hard hitting look at the history and culture of Wales as told by the experiences of the young people involved. Glossy images of Welsh countryside and the works of Dylan Thomas mean less to them than teenage pregnancies and dole queues.
The production runs for two weeks and is filmed by BBC Wales, arts programme The Slate. Lucy Rivers, 15 is one of the young people involved who will later go on to become a successful lyricist, composer and actor and work on dozens of Sherman Theatre productions continuing to this day.
There is recognition for General Manager Margaret Jones who has just joined the Sherman. She wins the 1995 Arts Roll honour for her contribution to the Plymouth’s Barbican Theatre and would go on to work at Sherman Theatre for 20 years. Herman the Sherman bear mascot is introduced. Sherman produces an adaptation of Boy by Roald Dahl. Audiences are given the choice of seeing an adaptation performed by Sherman Youth Theatre or a professional cast.
The Sherman is praised by the South Wales Echo for launching a Pay-as-you-can scheme. This is the first Theatre in Wales to do so and is a practice which continues to this day.
Sherman Theatre’s high quality work for children continues with a sell-out Christmas production of The BFG by Roald Dahl, directed by Michael Bogdanov. Continuing its theatre for young audiences, under 7’s are well served this year with children’s shows held on Saturdays throughout the year from a wide variety of touring companies.
Sherman Theatre is threatened with closure due to new funding challenges and a new public appeal is launched. The Sherman enters a secondary funding crisis. There is a huge amount of support from both the public and artists including Manic Street Preachers, Sian Phillips, Peter Gill, Jo Brand & Victor Spinetti.
Members of the Youth Theatre head off to Australia for a major arts festival to mark the 50th anniversary of the British Council in Australia.
Sherman Theatre celebrates 25 years with two hugely popular comedies from late, great Welsh playwright Frank Vickery – Family Planning and Pullin’ the Wool who also stars in both shows. Families are delighted at Christmas by a brand new modernized version of Enid Blyton’s Secret Seven set in 1999 in The Secret Seven Save the World!
In a hugely successful year, Sherman Youth Theatre perform on their biggest stages – both inside and outside Sherman Theatre. The Summer sees their first ever Main House performance in The Hunting of the Snark performed by a cast of 30. Later in October, Sherman Youth Theatre wow audiences with a performance at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Rugby World Cup at the new Millennium Stadium.
After breaking box office records for the first ever stage show of Horrible Histories the preceding year, Sherman Theatre commission Terry Deary to write Christmas Crackers for the Winter season. Go ahead is given by the Arts Council of Wales for a bilingual theatre writing company to be formed, with a number of candidates considered including Sherman Theatre. Sgript Cymru is founded.
A year after being founded by Simon Harries and Bethan James, Sgript Cymru is looking for a permanent home. At Christmas, two Roald Dahl classics are performed on stage in brand new adaptations – James and the Giant Peach and The Enormous Crocodile.
Welsh Language Theatre Group Y Gweithdy devise and perform Dwli at Sherman Theatre in July. The show would later visit the Contact Theatre, Manchester, before another performance at the Commonwealth Games Culture Shock Festival.
Sherman Theatre is one of the hosts of the International Festival of Musical Theatre in October. Lasting for three weeks, it is the first major event for this artform. Featuring fully staged musicals, late night jazz and cabaret, circus acts, education workshops and performances by Olivier award winning Clive Rowe in the leading role in Sadly Solo Joe.
This year sees the launch of Cardiff Council School Service, Coleg Glan Hafren and the Sherman Theatre collaborate to launch the Acting Out Cardiff programme. The project aimed at year 10 and 11 pupils takes them out of the classroom, providing them with hands-on experience with accreditation in a professional arts environment. It proves to be a huge success.
The Borrowers is staged at Christmas and wins several awards including an ACE Playwright of the Year award for Charles Way’s adaptation and the Western Mail Best Play in Wales Award.
The Sherman’s streak of hit Roald Dahl shows continues with Danny Champion of the World. In partnership with sponsors Air Wales, a search for Cardiff’s very own Champion of the World takes place. Open to children between the ages of 6-12, the search was to find outstanding children who had put others before themselves or made a remarkable achievement in the face of adversity in the preceding 18 months.
Won by Jack Thomas, 9, of St Mellons, Jack had raised £2000 for Ty Hafan despite suffering from Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy. During the run, the Sherman hosted a prestigious exhibition of Quentin Blake’s work and he and Roald Dahl’s widow, Felicity joined guests for the opening night of the show.
Sherman Theatre takes part in the Cardiff International Festival of Musical Theatre. In September, Russell T. Davies, head writer of the newly revived Doctor Who talks all things about the show in a special fundraiser at the Sherman for the queer community of South East Wales. As Cardiff celebrates its 100th anniversary as a city the Sherman along with other theatres around Cardiff hosts a festival of drama showcasing the best in contemporary theatre.
Artistic Director Phil Clark’s 16 year-long tenure, during which the Sherman developed an unbeatable reputation for high quality work for children which enthralled a generation and set the standard to follow, ends. Mr Clark is succeeded by new Director Chris Ricketts.
A modern version of Educating Rita directed by Phil Clark set in Cardiff plays to Summer audiences with Ruth Jones and Steve Speirs in the leading roles. Five star reviews follow.
“One of my very first performances on stage was at The Sherman as part of the National Youth Theatre of Wales with Rob Brydon so it’s great to be back on stage here. I almost had to be pushed on stage on the first night for nerves, but it’s all been going really well.” Steve Speirs, June 2006
After years of discussions, Sherman Theatre officially merges with Sgript Cymru to create the new look Sherman Cymru with a focus on new writing. Maes Terfyn the first Sherman Cymru production is staged in April. A new look Sherman Cymru emerges with a new website and branding. The Sherman Young Artist Development Initiative is launched.
This year sees the birth of one of the most successful Sherman productions – Deep Cut based on the story of the parents of a young army soldier Cheryl James who died at the Deepcut Barracks in suspicious circumstances. Deep Cut went on to receive great critical acclaim touring to sell-out crowds. The show plays at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre during the Fringe and wins the Edinburgh Fringe First and Herald Angel awards. In August, Yr Argae, a Welsh language adaptation of The Weir is staged and is dedicated to the late Wil Sam who translated the piece.
Sherman Theatre continues its successful collaborations with playwright Gary Owen – writer of three plays this year including an adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
Years of work pitching a major redevelopment starts to come to fruition. Architect Jonathan Adams had secured the redevelopment commission in 2005, but it isn’t until this year that a £3.9m lottery grant from Arts Council of Wales gets approved allowing the redevelopment of the theatre to begin. A further £1.5m is required to complete the project and various fundraising endeavours are undertaken including staff members taking part in the Cardiff Half Marathon and a 26 mile sponsored walk to Merthyr Tydfil.
In February, Sherman Theatre closes for redevelopment in an ambitious project – every part of the original building is to be remodelled. Whilst the building is closed for 18 months, the Sherman produces new work in other venues. Llwyth by Daf James and directed by Arwel Gruffydd premieres at Chapter Arts Centre; the play goes on to win the Best Production in the Welsh Language Theatre Critics Award, tours Wales three times, entertains audiences in London and Edinburgh and in 2012 is performed at the Taipei Arts Festival in Taiwan. Llwyth becomes a Welsh classic.
With Sherman Theatre currently in its 18 month long redevelopment, shows continue to be produced and performed at venues including Chapter Arts Centre. Desire Lines written by Ian Rowlands and directed by Russian born Irina Brown deals with questions of national identity as the lead character navigates life.
Sherman Theatre re-opens! A new open-plan foyer is created, a new rehearsal room and workshop are built and every part of the building is reconfigured and modernised. Most significantly the external appearance of the building is now distinguishable from its University neighbour, extending outwards and clad in a metallic skin that shimmers in the Cardiff sun. The redevelopment is cited as an excellent example of how existing buildings can be rejuvenated and sustained for future generations to enjoy.
Say it with Flowers, a memory play by Llanelli born Dorothy Squires, premieres at Sherman Theatre to celebrate our 40th anniversary and then tours Wales in 2013. Written by Meic Povey & Johnny Tudor and directed by Pia Furtado, it featured some of the famous songstresses’ flagship songs with a cast including Ruth Madoc as Dot and Lynn Hunter as Maisie.
Chris Ricketts’ tenure as Director ends. Rachel O’Riordan is appointed Artistic Director and a new era begins. In 2013 Sherman Theatre is one of five arts organisations across the UK to receive an unsolicited gift over a five year period as part of Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s celebrations for its 25 year anniversary.
The gift results in the launch of the Sherman 5 programme which gives people across Cardiff and South East Wales who face barriers and who have never attended a performance at the theatre before the chance to do so. Sherman 5 would become a hugely important part of Sherman Theatre’s work.
The Sherman stages the world premiere performances of Iphigenia in Splott written by Gary Owen and directed by Rachel O’Riordan which would become a critically acclaimed hit performed from across the globe in multiple languages. In October, the play wins Best New Play at the UK Theatre Awards. Rachel O’Riordan’s Main House Christmas production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is a blockbuster success.
In the first of a series of major community productions, the Waulah Cymru community take to the Main House stage to tell their story in Home. Sherman Theatre stages Iphigenia in Splott at the National Theatre, on tour across the UK and at the Edinburgh Fringe where it wins the James Tait Black Prize for Drama. Bird by Katherine Chandler and directed by Rachel O’Riordan in a co-production with Royal Exchange Theatre is another critical hit in the Studio. Sherman Theatre’s first collaboration with and commission for Royal Welsh College’s NEW writing festival is All That I Am by Daf James.
The year is defined by the highly successful partnership between Gary Owen and Rachel O’Riordan through three Made at Sherman productions. In March, the Sherman stages the world premiere of Gary’s latest play Killology in a co-production with London’s Royal Court. Killology plays to sold out audiences and is a five star hit. In April and May, Iphigenia in Splott is performed at the FIND festival at Berlin’s iconic Schaubühne and at the Brits Off Broadway festival in New York.
In October, the world premiere of Gary’s re-imagining of The Cherry Orchard is staged at the Sherman. Both Killology and The Cherry Orchard feature in The Guardian’s Top 10 theatre shows of the year.
A year of major awards success. Sherman Theatre becomes the first theatre in Wales to win The Stage’s Regional Theatre of the Year and an Olivier Award (Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate History for Killology, a co-production with Royal Court Theatre). Bilingual Company in Residence Cwmni Pluen stage the premiere of their production Mags. A female-led Sherman Theatre and Theatr Clwyd of the Lord of the Flies plays to packed houses in the Main House. In July, five years of Sherman 5 is celebrated with a weekend of photography exhibitions, film screenings and activities.
Joe Murphy joins the Sherman in July as Artistic Director following Rachel O’Riordan’s move to Lyric Hammersmith in January. Sherman Theatre becomes Wales’s first Theatre of Sanctuary recognizing its commitment to serving South Wales’s sanctuary seeking community. Notable Made at Sherman productions of new plays include the smash-hit world premiere of Welsh language play Woof by Elgan Rhys, a new version of The Taming of the Shrew by Jo Clifford in a co-production with Glasgow’s Tron Theatre and the acclaimed Lose Yourself by Katherine Chandler.
In Autumn, Chelsea Walker’s production of Hedda Gabler is a critical hit. Heledd Gwynn would later win the Ian Charleson Award for her performance in the title role. The Sherman is awarded additional funding by Paul Hamlyn Foundation to continue the Sherman 5 programme for a further four years.
Just before the Covid pandemic causes lockdown Sherman Theatre and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru premiere the world premiere of Daf James’ Tylwyth, the sequel to his hugely popular play Llwyth. The Covid pandemic forces the Sherman to close its doors temporarily. It serves its audiences through lockdowns with a range of digital productions including Mum & Dad by Gary Owen, starring Michael Sheen and Lynn Hunter.
In autumn, ten Cardiff writers are commissioned to create audio plays telling local stories in the Heart of Cardiff series. As Sherman Theatre can’t welcome families to the theatre over Christmas, it launches a digital advent calendar featuring digital performances from Hannah McPake, Ruth Jones, Michael Sheen and Rhys Ifans. Sherman 5 members are given the advent calendar for free.
David Stacey hugely important time on the board comes to an end, after having given 33 years of service to Sherman Theatre.
In May, Sherman Theatre co-produces the fully staged world premiere of The Merthyr Stigmatist by Lisa Parry with Theatre Uncut. The play was runner-up for Theatre Uncut’s Political Playwriting Prize and was originally due to be staged in Autumn 2020. In August, with lockdown easing Sherman Theatre teams up with Theatr Iolo to provide outdoor family performances including the staged world premiere of Crafangau / Claws by Nia Morais which was originally a Heart of Cardiff audio drama.
In October, the Sherman fully re-opens (albeit to socially distanced houses) with a festival of bite size plays and events – Back in Play. The festival includes world premiere productions of plays by Seiriol Davies, Rahim El-Habachi, Lowri Jenkins and Hannah McPake. At Christmas, audiences are cheered by productions of A Christmas Carol adapted by Gary Owen and The Elves and the Shoemaker adapted by Katherine Chandler. Thanks to funding from Arts Council Wales, a new Literary Department at Sherman Theatre is launched.
Sherman Theatre’s programme returns to full strength. In October, audiences love a bilingual Made at Sherman production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with new Welsh language adaptations by Mari Izzard and Nia Morais. In November, the world premiere of Tales of the Brothers Grimm by Hannah McPake and Elen Benfelen / Goldilocks by Elgan Rhys bring joy to family audiences. The Sherman launches a range of measures to help its community tackle the cost of living crisis.
The Sherman celebrates 50 years as a theatre for Cardiff, for Wales, for everyone. Romeo and Julie, a new Cardiff set play by Gary Owen is staged in a co-production with the National Theatre directed by former Sherman Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan. The production premieres at the National and runs at the Sherman in April. Romeo and Julie is a smash with audiences and critics alike and plays to the largest audience at the Sherman for a non-Christmas show since the noughties.
In May, the Sherman premieres the first full-length play by Its Writer in Residence Nia Morais in a co-production with Fran Wen. Imrie then tours around Wales. In August, communities across Cardiff take to the Main House stage in Love, Cardiff: 50 Years of Your Stories to tell their stories alongside the story of Harry and Abe Sherman whose foundation donated the money to create Sherman Theatre.
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