Rotherham trio help to make it the people's Crucible

THREE people from Rotherham are helping celebrate Sheffield Crucible’s 40th birthday by being selected to appear in a special anniversary production at the theatre.

Aileen Westoby, her son, Scott, and David Chafer are members of the newly- formed Sheffield People’s Theatre presenting Lives in Art, which opened last night and continues tonight, next Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The trio are among more than 50 performers from the South Yorkshire community taking part with Andrew Dunn (Dinnerladies/Coronation Street) in the lead.

The play is being directed by Andrew Loretto and has been written by Richard Hurford.

“We had to audition with 300 people and luckily we were chosen,” said supply teacher Aileen (61), of Swinton.

“We have been involved with developing the script working with movement director Lucy Cullingford and also worked with the head of movement from the Royal Shakespeare Company.

“The Sheffield People’s Theatre hopes to do more work in the future together.”

Scott (18), who became a member of the National Youth Theatre aged 13, is a drama A-level student at Wath Comprehensive.

David Chafer (45), runs his own business in Rotherham and is a member of the Dilys Guite Players and the Rotherham Rep. He is also a student at the Carney Academy of Performing Arts.