About the Venue
The Lyceum Theatre is one of Sheffield’s grandest and most historic theatres, offering an elegant Edwardian setting for some of the best touring productions in the UK. First opened in 1897, the Lyceum is a traditional proscenium arch theatre renowned for hosting major West End musicals, drama, comedy, dance and family shows, alongside blockbuster touring productions. With its richly decorated interior and three-tier auditorium, it delivers a classic theatre-going experience in the heart of Sheffield city centre.
Now part of the Sheffield Theatres complex alongside the Crucible and Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, the Lyceum has been carefully restored and protected as a Grade II* listed building. It is also firmly established as Sheffield’s home of pantomime, continuing a tradition that dates back to the early 20th century and remains a festive highlight in the city’s cultural calendar. From headline musicals to nostalgic favourites, the Lyceum offers a great night out for audiences of all ages.
Key details
Opened: 1897 (restored and reopened 1990)
Capacity: 1,068 seats across three levels
Type: Proscenium arch theatre
Listing: Grade II*
Architect: W. G. R. Sprague
Website: sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
A landmark venue with more than a century of history, the Lyceum Theatre remains central to Sheffield’s live entertainment scene and a flagship destination on the city’s events calendar.
Upcoming Events
What is Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors?
Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors brings history’s most gruesome, gory and giggle-worthy era to life on stage at the Lyceum in Sheffield.
Based on the bestselling Horrible Histories franchise, this live show combines actors, eye-popping 3D special effects and fast-paced comedy to make Tudor history unforgettable — and unapologetically horrible.
What will audiences see?
This is history with the nasty bits left in. Audiences will:
Meet the horrible Henrys
Discover the fate of Henry VIII’s headless wives
Witness Henry’s infamous punch-up with the Pope
Encounter Bloody Mary
Watch Edward VI drop dead in his bed
Survive the Spanish Armada as it sails into the audience
All delivered with the irreverent humour and anarchic energy that Horrible Histories fans love.
What makes this show special?
Using live actors and spectacular visual effects, Terrible Tudors makes historical figures leap off the page and into the theatre. The show balances laugh-out-loud comedy with real historical facts — sneaking education in while everyone’s too busy laughing to notice.
It’s designed to thrill children while keeping adults entertained too.
Why is this a great family day out?
Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors is ideal for families because it:
Makes history exciting and accessible
Encourages curiosity and learning
Offers plenty of jokes for all ages
Works as a first theatre experience for younger audiences
It’s perfect for school-age children — and grown-ups who secretly enjoy the gory bits.
Who is this event for?
This show is ideal for:
Children aged 6+
Families and school groups
Fans of the Horrible Histories books and TV series
Anyone looking for fun, educational things to do in Sheffield
🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/horrible-histories-terrible-tudors
Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors brings history’s most gruesome, gory and giggle-worthy era to life on stage at the Lyceum in Sheffield.
Based on the bestselling Horrible Histories franchise, this live show combines actors, eye-popping 3D special effects and fast-paced comedy to make Tudor history unforgettable — and unapologetically horrible.
What will audiences see?
This is history with the nasty bits left in. Audiences will:
Meet the horrible Henrys
Discover the fate of Henry VIII’s headless wives
Witness Henry’s infamous punch-up with the Pope
Encounter Bloody Mary
Watch Edward VI drop dead in his bed
Survive the Spanish Armada as it sails into the audience
All delivered with the irreverent humour and anarchic energy that Horrible Histories fans love.
What makes this show special?
Using live actors and spectacular visual effects, Terrible Tudors makes historical figures leap off the page and into the theatre. The show balances laugh-out-loud comedy with real historical facts — sneaking education in while everyone’s too busy laughing to notice.
It’s designed to thrill children while keeping adults entertained too.
Why is this a great family day out?
Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors is ideal for families because it:
Makes history exciting and accessible
Encourages curiosity and learning
Offers plenty of jokes for all ages
Works as a first theatre experience for younger audiences
It’s perfect for school-age children — and grown-ups who secretly enjoy the gory bits.
Who is this event for?
This show is ideal for:
Children aged 6+
Families and school groups
Fans of the Horrible Histories books and TV series
Anyone looking for fun, educational things to do in Sheffield
🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/horrible-histories-terrible-tudors
What is Horrible Histories: Awful Egyptians?
Horrible Histories: Awful Egyptians brings ancient history roaring to life on stage at the Lyceum in Sheffield, packed with jokes, jaw-dropping visuals and all the gruesome facts school textbooks leave out.
Based on the hugely popular Horrible Histories series, this live theatre show uses actors, eye-popping 3D special effects and fast-paced comedy to make Ancient Egypt unforgettable — and gloriously disgusting.
What will audiences see?
Get ready to dive into the foul facts of death, decay and divine rulers as the show explores:
The fascinating Pharaohs
The secrets behind the pyramids
Mean and mummified Egyptians
The afterlife and its terrifying trials
Legendary rulers like Ramesses the Great
From sacred rituals to sinister mummies, history doesn’t just come alive — it practically leaps into the audience.
What makes this show special?
Awful Egyptians combines real historical facts with anarchic humour, turning ancient civilisation into laugh-out-loud theatre. The use of 3D effects and live performance means audiences don’t just learn about history — they experience it.
It’s education disguised as entertainment, with plenty of “eww!” moments along the way.
Why is this perfect for families?
This production is ideal for:
School-age children
Families looking for fun, educational theatre
Fans of the Horrible Histories books and TV series
Young audiences discovering theatre for the first time
Parents can relax knowing there’s plenty of clever humour for adults too.
Who is this event for?
This show is perfect for:
Children aged 6+
Families and school groups
History fans with a sense of humour
Anyone looking for engaging, educational things to do in Sheffield
🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/horrible-histories-awful-egyptians
Horrible Histories: Awful Egyptians brings ancient history roaring to life on stage at the Lyceum in Sheffield, packed with jokes, jaw-dropping visuals and all the gruesome facts school textbooks leave out.
Based on the hugely popular Horrible Histories series, this live theatre show uses actors, eye-popping 3D special effects and fast-paced comedy to make Ancient Egypt unforgettable — and gloriously disgusting.
What will audiences see?
Get ready to dive into the foul facts of death, decay and divine rulers as the show explores:
The fascinating Pharaohs
The secrets behind the pyramids
Mean and mummified Egyptians
The afterlife and its terrifying trials
Legendary rulers like Ramesses the Great
From sacred rituals to sinister mummies, history doesn’t just come alive — it practically leaps into the audience.
What makes this show special?
Awful Egyptians combines real historical facts with anarchic humour, turning ancient civilisation into laugh-out-loud theatre. The use of 3D effects and live performance means audiences don’t just learn about history — they experience it.
It’s education disguised as entertainment, with plenty of “eww!” moments along the way.
Why is this perfect for families?
This production is ideal for:
School-age children
Families looking for fun, educational theatre
Fans of the Horrible Histories books and TV series
Young audiences discovering theatre for the first time
Parents can relax knowing there’s plenty of clever humour for adults too.
Who is this event for?
This show is perfect for:
Children aged 6+
Families and school groups
History fans with a sense of humour
Anyone looking for engaging, educational things to do in Sheffield
🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/horrible-histories-awful-egyptians
What is Ariadne / Dido & Aeneas?
Ariadne / Dido & Aeneas is a powerful operatic double bill presented by English Touring Opera, bringing two haunting stories of love, abandonment and loss to the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield.
Combining a modern one-act opera with a Baroque masterpiece, the evening explores how love defines absence — and how betrayal can echo across centuries.
What is Ariadne about?
In Ariadne, the abandoned daughter of King Minos wakes alone on the shore to find Theseus gone. Having helped him escape Crete — leaving behind her home, family and former life — she is left to reckon with love, betrayal and silence.
This intimate first half sets Glyn Maxwell’s poem Ariadne to Theseus to music by Elena Langer, creating a poignant one-act drama that gives voice to absence and grief through lyrical intensity and emotional focus.
What is Dido & Aeneas?
The second half features Henry Purcell’s operatic masterpiece Dido and Aeneas, based on Virgil’s Aeneid.
Queen Dido of Carthage prepares to marry the Trojan hero Aeneas — but jealousy and revenge intervene. Manipulated by dark forces, Aeneas abandons Dido, leading to one of opera’s most devastating endings.
Renowned for its expressive music and emotional clarity, Dido and Aeneas remains one of the greatest tragedies in the operatic canon.
Why see this double bill?
Together, these two works form a compelling dialogue across time:
Ancient myth retold through a modern lens
Baroque tragedy paired with contemporary opera
Two women abandoned by the men they love
It’s an evening that balances intimacy and grandeur, combining powerful storytelling with music of extraordinary emotional depth.
Who is this event for?
This performance will appeal to:
Opera lovers and classical music fans
Audiences interested in myth, literature and drama
Those curious about contemporary opera alongside classics
Anyone seeking enriching, thought-provoking things to do in Sheffield
(Suitable for ages 11+)
🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/english-touring-opera-ariadne-and-dido-aeneas
Ariadne / Dido & Aeneas is a powerful operatic double bill presented by English Touring Opera, bringing two haunting stories of love, abandonment and loss to the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield.
Combining a modern one-act opera with a Baroque masterpiece, the evening explores how love defines absence — and how betrayal can echo across centuries.
What is Ariadne about?
In Ariadne, the abandoned daughter of King Minos wakes alone on the shore to find Theseus gone. Having helped him escape Crete — leaving behind her home, family and former life — she is left to reckon with love, betrayal and silence.
This intimate first half sets Glyn Maxwell’s poem Ariadne to Theseus to music by Elena Langer, creating a poignant one-act drama that gives voice to absence and grief through lyrical intensity and emotional focus.
What is Dido & Aeneas?
The second half features Henry Purcell’s operatic masterpiece Dido and Aeneas, based on Virgil’s Aeneid.
Queen Dido of Carthage prepares to marry the Trojan hero Aeneas — but jealousy and revenge intervene. Manipulated by dark forces, Aeneas abandons Dido, leading to one of opera’s most devastating endings.
Renowned for its expressive music and emotional clarity, Dido and Aeneas remains one of the greatest tragedies in the operatic canon.
Why see this double bill?
Together, these two works form a compelling dialogue across time:
Ancient myth retold through a modern lens
Baroque tragedy paired with contemporary opera
Two women abandoned by the men they love
It’s an evening that balances intimacy and grandeur, combining powerful storytelling with music of extraordinary emotional depth.
Who is this event for?
This performance will appeal to:
Opera lovers and classical music fans
Audiences interested in myth, literature and drama
Those curious about contemporary opera alongside classics
Anyone seeking enriching, thought-provoking things to do in Sheffield
(Suitable for ages 11+)
🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/english-touring-opera-ariadne-and-dido-aeneas
What is Orpheus and Eurydice?
Orpheus and Eurydice is a powerful new production from English Touring Opera, bringing one of opera’s most enduring myths to the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield.
Told through music of profound emotional clarity, this opera explores love, grief and the devastating cost of hope — asking how far someone would go to reclaim the person they love most.
What’s the story?
Orpheus, a gifted musician and son of one of the immortal muses, is left heartbroken by the death of his beloved Eurydice. In his grief, he strikes a bargain with the gods: he may descend into the Underworld to rescue her — but only if he can resist looking back at her until they have both returned to the world of the living.
It’s a simple rule with unbearable consequences, turning a love story into a test of faith, trust and human weakness.
Why is this opera so important?
Composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck, Orpheus and Eurydice is Gluck’s most popular work and a turning point in operatic history.
The opera marked a shift away from excess and ornamentation, focusing instead on:
The expressive power of the human voice
Clear, emotionally driven storytelling
Deep theatrical intensity
Its music and themes continue to resonate with modern audiences centuries after its premiere.
What makes this production special?
English Touring Opera’s new staging brings fresh focus to the emotional core of the myth, combining clarity of storytelling with dramatic musical performance. It’s an intimate yet epic retelling of a timeless story — one that balances beauty with heartbreak.
Who is this event for?
This performance will appeal to:
Opera and classical music lovers
Audiences interested in myth and literature
Fans of emotionally driven theatre
Anyone seeking enriching, memorable things to do in Sheffield
(Suitable for ages 11+)
🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/english-touring-opera-orpheus-and-eurydice
Orpheus and Eurydice is a powerful new production from English Touring Opera, bringing one of opera’s most enduring myths to the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield.
Told through music of profound emotional clarity, this opera explores love, grief and the devastating cost of hope — asking how far someone would go to reclaim the person they love most.
What’s the story?
Orpheus, a gifted musician and son of one of the immortal muses, is left heartbroken by the death of his beloved Eurydice. In his grief, he strikes a bargain with the gods: he may descend into the Underworld to rescue her — but only if he can resist looking back at her until they have both returned to the world of the living.
It’s a simple rule with unbearable consequences, turning a love story into a test of faith, trust and human weakness.
Why is this opera so important?
Composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck, Orpheus and Eurydice is Gluck’s most popular work and a turning point in operatic history.
The opera marked a shift away from excess and ornamentation, focusing instead on:
The expressive power of the human voice
Clear, emotionally driven storytelling
Deep theatrical intensity
Its music and themes continue to resonate with modern audiences centuries after its premiere.
What makes this production special?
English Touring Opera’s new staging brings fresh focus to the emotional core of the myth, combining clarity of storytelling with dramatic musical performance. It’s an intimate yet epic retelling of a timeless story — one that balances beauty with heartbreak.
Who is this event for?
This performance will appeal to:
Opera and classical music lovers
Audiences interested in myth and literature
Fans of emotionally driven theatre
Anyone seeking enriching, memorable things to do in Sheffield
(Suitable for ages 11+)
🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/english-touring-opera-orpheus-and-eurydice
What is WAITRESS?
WAITRESS is the much-loved musical comedy serving up heart, humour and hope — and it’s coming to the Lyceum in Sheffield for one week only.
Described by The Times as “a slice of five-star musical pie”, this feel-good hit tells a deeply human story about friendship, resilience and finding your own voice, all set to a soundtrack audiences have fallen in love with.
What’s the story?
Meet Jenna, a waitress and gifted pie-maker stuck in a life that hasn’t turned out the way she hoped. Dreaming of something better, she finds her world turned upside down when a new doctor arrives in town.
With the unwavering support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna navigates love, tough choices and self-discovery — learning that laughter, friendship and courage might just be the perfect recipe for happiness.
Who created the musical?
WAITRESS is brought to life by a groundbreaking, female-led creative team, featuring:
Music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave)
Book by Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam)
Direction by Diane Paulus, Tony® Award winner (Pippin, Finding Neverland)
The show’s score has been praised as “one of the best in years” (The Stage), blending pop, musical theatre and emotional storytelling with ease.
Why is WAITRESS so popular?
Audiences and critics alike have embraced WAITRESS for its warmth, wit and honesty. It’s funny without being fluffy, emotional without being heavy, and packed with songs that stay with you long after the curtain falls.
At its heart, it’s a celebration of chosen family, female friendship and the quiet strength it takes to change your life.
Important audience information
The show includes adult themes and content
Discretion is advised for parents considering bringing children under 13
Cast appearances may vary during the run
Who is this event for?
This musical will appeal to:
Fans of contemporary musical theatre
Audiences who enjoy character-driven stories
Groups of friends and theatre lovers
Anyone looking for meaningful, feel-good things to do in Sheffield
(Suitable for ages 13+)
🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/waitress-2026
WAITRESS is the much-loved musical comedy serving up heart, humour and hope — and it’s coming to the Lyceum in Sheffield for one week only.
Described by The Times as “a slice of five-star musical pie”, this feel-good hit tells a deeply human story about friendship, resilience and finding your own voice, all set to a soundtrack audiences have fallen in love with.
What’s the story?
Meet Jenna, a waitress and gifted pie-maker stuck in a life that hasn’t turned out the way she hoped. Dreaming of something better, she finds her world turned upside down when a new doctor arrives in town.
With the unwavering support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna navigates love, tough choices and self-discovery — learning that laughter, friendship and courage might just be the perfect recipe for happiness.
Who created the musical?
WAITRESS is brought to life by a groundbreaking, female-led creative team, featuring:
Music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave)
Book by Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam)
Direction by Diane Paulus, Tony® Award winner (Pippin, Finding Neverland)
The show’s score has been praised as “one of the best in years” (The Stage), blending pop, musical theatre and emotional storytelling with ease.
Why is WAITRESS so popular?
Audiences and critics alike have embraced WAITRESS for its warmth, wit and honesty. It’s funny without being fluffy, emotional without being heavy, and packed with songs that stay with you long after the curtain falls.
At its heart, it’s a celebration of chosen family, female friendship and the quiet strength it takes to change your life.
Important audience information
The show includes adult themes and content
Discretion is advised for parents considering bringing children under 13
Cast appearances may vary during the run
Who is this event for?
This musical will appeal to:
Fans of contemporary musical theatre
Audiences who enjoy character-driven stories
Groups of friends and theatre lovers
Anyone looking for meaningful, feel-good things to do in Sheffield
(Suitable for ages 13+)
🎟 Tickets and full event details:
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/waitress-2026