About the Venue
The Library Theatre is one of Sheffield’s most atmospheric and characterful performance spaces, tucked beneath the city’s iconic Central Library with its entrance opening onto Tudor Square, alongside the Crucible and Lyceum. Originally designed as a lecture hall in 1934, the space evolved into a fully functioning theatre after the Second World War and has since built a reputation as a flexible, under-the-radar venue at the heart of Sheffield’s theatre district.
With a capacity of around 260 seats, the Library Theatre hosts an eclectic year-round programme including amateur and professional theatre, comedy, film screenings, burlesque, contemporary dance, world music, talks and local history events. Over the decades it has played a surprising role in the city’s cultural life: serving as an air raid shelter during the war, hosting Ministry of Information films, welcoming the Sheffield Repertory Company in the 1950s, and even staging the first-ever television broadcast from Sheffield. Today, it continues to support major city festivals such as Sheffield Doc/Fest and Tramlines Festival, alongside grassroots and community-led performances.
Key details
Address: Central Library, Tudor Square, Sheffield City Centre
Opened: 1934 (as a lecture hall)
Capacity: Approx. 260
Type: Theatre & multi-use performance venue
Setting: Beneath Sheffield Central Library
Operator: Sheffield City Council
Accessibility
The Library Theatre does not currently offer wheelchair access, following advice from South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service. Visitors with mobility concerns are encouraged to contact the venue in advance.
Intimate, historic and full of personality, the Library Theatre is a hidden gem of Sheffield theatreland and a vital venue for diverse, creative and community-focused events.
Upcoming Events
While on holiday, Peter and Debbie befriend Elsa — a lusty, Trump-loving widow from Denver, USA. They agree to stay in touch. And why not? Because no one ever really does… do they? But when Elsa invites herself to stay a few months later, curiosity turns to alarm, and a frantic online search reveals the unsettling truth about Elsa Jean Krakowski — far too late to stop what’s coming.
What to Expect
Written by the acclaimed writer behind Doctor Who and Sherlock, The Unfriend is a fast-paced and ferociously funny look at modern manners, online identity and the disastrous middle-class instinct to always be polite — no matter the cost.
Expect:
Razor-sharp dialogue and escalating comic tension
Big laughs with a deliciously dark edge
A satirical take on social media, friendship and fear of confrontation
A comedy that balances absurdity with biting social observation
Critically acclaimed for its wit and momentum, the play has been described as:
“Effortlessly entertaining” — The Telegraph
“An uproarious comedy and riotous pleasure” — The i
“A killer comedy to die for” — WhatsOnStage
A must-see for fans of intelligent comedy that isn’t afraid to bite back.
Tickets & Details
Tickets and full performance details are available here:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/sheffield/sheffield-library-theatre/the-unfriend/e-agkgpd
This event begins 10/02/26 and repeats every day for 5 occurrences
A hilarious and satirical look at middle-class England’s disastrous instinct always to look nice!
Tudor Players, one of Sheffield's finest community theatre groups, return to the Library Theatre in February with this comedy from Steven Moffat, writer of BBC TV's Dr. Who and Sherlock. This production follows the success of Tudor Players' October production of Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters, which broke records for ticket sales and achieved sell out performances.
Steven Moffett is one of the most prolific TV writers of the last 40 years, with credits spanning Press Gang, Coupling and Dracula, as well as Dr. Who and Sherlock. The Unfriend is Moffat’s first stage production; after a successful run at the Chichester Festival Theatre, the London production at Wyndham’s Theatre in 2023 starred Lee Mack as Peter and Sarah Alexander as Debbie. Press reviews for this production were very favourable:
· “Effortlessly entertaining” (The Telegraph)
· “An uproarious comedy and riotous pleasure” (The i)
· “A killer comedy to die for” (WhatsOnStage)
Book online at tudorplayers.net or call 0114 400 0611.
Tickets £12 / £13 (booking fees apply).