The Crucible Theatre is no stranger to tales of sporting drama and its latest offering is no exception as the Ladies Football Club continues its month-long residency. Written by Stefani Massini and adapted by Tim Firth, it is a story of the women of Sheffield who, during World War One, take the place of the city's fighting men in the factories. When they start kicking a football about during a break from manufacturing munitions, they discover an unexpected sense of passion and teamwork. Directed by Elizabeth Newman, this new production promises to be a thrilling encounter and was chosen as one of the Times best shows to see in 2026.
The Crucible’s stage was sparsely decorated throughout the performance, with few props used. Workbenches were slid out to depict the factory setting and projections occasionally adorned the back screen to show different locations. I feel that more frequently used and clearer projections of the backdrop would have been beneficial when setting the different scenes along the way. Lighting Designer Ben Jacob’s use of floor and wall lighting was effective, particularly during the football scenes.
The stage was occupied by all 11 cast members who formed a single ensemble. It would be unfair to commend individual acting performances as the roles were equally divided and executed with great enthusiasm and humour. This was important as the message of teamwork through circumstances, work and football was a key premise of the storyline. Each character was unique with a carefully crafted backstory, scripted to showcase each personality. Having so many different lives portrayed equally was an unusual and adventurous undertaking. The dialogue was sharp and quick-witted enough to accommodate this, although the multiple personalities were a lot to absorb in a play of around 2 hours.
Movement Director Scott Graham used the large, sparsely decked-out stage, bursting with energetic performers, to full effect. The flight of the ball and the hustle of the football matches were captured well in the interpretive dancing scenes with goal celebrations and sliding tackles galore.
The backdrop of the First World War, working conditions for the ‘munitionettes’ and the attitude towards women playing football were discussed, often humorously. The combination of humour -whilst used smartly- and the multiple characters, gave the play an overly frivolous and frantic feel. Whilst this will appeal to many, I felt the production would have benefited from more abstract reflection on working and living through a tough period of British history. Although the body of the script and costumes made the First World War setting clear, the sparse setting and style of narrative didn’t give the impression of being transported back in time.
The Ladies Football Club is a witty and fast-paced production that tells an important story of the evolution of women’s football, which will appeal to theatre goers of all ages.
Production run (The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield): Saturday 28th February – Saturday 28th March 2026.
Running Time: around 2 hours, including an interval.
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/the-ladies-football-club/dates
Reviewer: Matthew Burgin
On: March 2026
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