Limelight for Lantern as rich man’s folly becomes arts venue

The Lantern Theatre – then called the Chalet Theatre – was built in 1893 by Sheffield’s Master Cutler William Webster as a private venue next to his house, for his daughter to stage productions starring alongside her friends.

Since the Fifties the building has been home to Sheffield amateur theatre productions but last night the doors opened for the first time as The Lantern Theatre, a home for professional, touring and home-grown productions.

Artistic director Martin Derbyshire and chief executive Matt Risby rescued the 84-seat theatre and will use the space to programme and present professional theatre work. It has served as a home for the amateur theatre company Dilys Guite Players since the fifties, but the cost of the upkeep of the building became too much for the volunteer-run group.

Theatre freelancers Martin Derbyshire and Matt Risby have now stepped into the breach and the venue began its life last night as a professional theatre space for the first time in its history.

The first show of The Lantern Theatre’s new life was Under the Covers, an interactive multimedia performance presented by innovative company Zoo Indigo.

Mr Derbyshire said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to present our first professional season as a venue. As the oldest theatre in Sheffield I truly believe that The Lantern Theatre belongs to Sheffield, and has great local significance offering a wide variety of music, theatre and art.”

The only similar venue currently in Sheffield is the Studio, which sits in the Crucible building, a space which can seat three times the number The Lantern can accommodate.

Mr Derbyshire, who used to work at the Crucible, said: “This is the only space that can take the smaller, touring professional work in the city. It’s a great addition to the city’s theatre scene.

“I would describe The Lantern as a mini-Lyceum and I think audiences who come here will have a really different, intimate theatre experience.”

Mr Derbyshire and Mr Risby are operating the trading arm of The Lantern and are hoping to secure funding to help run the building.

The company will see its own production, Order, at the theatre on February 23.

The play will be directed by Sheffield-based director Ruth Carney, who has previously worked on the West End production of the musicals of Lord of the Rings and Ghost, based on the Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore movie.

Mr Risby said: “I’m particularly excited about our debut production as a company, Order.

“These are exciting times for us and I look forward to engaging with new and diverse audiences through our own work, our festivals and the touring productions in the year ahead.”

The theatre will also host a Shakespeare Festival and a festival of new writing during the summer of 2012.