After a successful run as part of 59E59's 2018 'Brits Off Broadway' series, this drama about four ordinary men who survive the Sheffield Blitz of World War II, returns Off Broadway. More…
"Operation Crucible" (code named by the Germans referring to its unique 18th century steelmaking) is based on the true story of the December 12, 1940 bombing of the Marples Hotel in the industrial city of Sheffield. It took only one German bomb to decimate the seven-story hotel into mere rubble. Unbelievably, four men survived the attack, only to be trapped in one of the hotel’s remaining and intact cellars. "Operation Crucible" is their story.
See it if You like small productions, minimalistic staging, good use of lights & sound to spark your imagination. Requires much concentration
Don't see it if You want a linear story - story jumped around & already difficult to follow due to accents. Had to concentrate too hard on dialogue
See it if you are interested in the history and atmosphere of Northern England during war time, and the years before WWII; enjoy acting performances.
Don't see it if you have combat PTSD (there are some sudden and loud sounds of bombing in the play); have difficulty following northern English accent and
Also somewhat confusing way of telling the story (four characters interject... Read more Read less
See it if real events told through the imagined voices of those who experienced them has emotional appeal, or if you admire the great 59E59 offerings.
Don't see it if you find stories of war and loss upsetting, have a hard time understand strong dialect, don't enjoy productions with minimal staging.
See it if You enjoy a terrific ensemble cast describing life in the Sheffield steel mills before and during the German blitz destroying their city
Don't see it if You are depressed by realistic war stories and prefer light entertainment with lavish sets
See it if british WWII stories interest you. Great ensemble work & physical theatre. Tight story with interwoven character studies.
Don't see it if Need linear plots. Also had loud sound effects and a lot of scenes with low light which might be challenging for some folks.
See it if you like excellent ensemble acting, plays that evoke social history and give you a sense of time and place, you like British content!
Don't see it if You prefer a grand staging, elaborate props and costumes, you don't like war stories or all male casts
See it if you want to see excellent actors in a moving, often funny, fundamentally dark play. The Northern English accents were a delight.
Don't see it if you have difficulties understanding Northern English accents, or are expecting an evening of light entertainment.