Chariots of Fire revived on stage for anniversary

Actors took to the treadmills to depict the race scenes that the 1981 film is famous for

The classic film Chariots of Fire has been revived on stage to mark the 100th anniversary of the Olympic success it depicts.

The production at The Crucible in Sheffield immortalises the true story of Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, the respective winners of the 100m and 400m gold medals at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

Actors boarded treadmills to depict the famous race scenes from the 1981 film.

Director Robert Hastie said the company had been "really excited" about the challenge of putting "iconic scenes" on stage.

He explained it was important to get a group of actors who were all "up for a big physical challenge".

"We have had them on the treadmills every morning. We have had them on a really rigorous training schedule,” Mr Hastie said.

"Also constantly delighting an audience with different ways of presenting those races - you have to think about how this race is going to be different to the next race."

Director Robert Hastie is set to leave his position at the theatre after seeing through Chariots of Fire

The stage adaption of Chariots of Fire was originally made for the London 2012 Olympics but has returned in time for Paris 2024.

"Coming back to it now over 10 years later, we were looking at what it is in the story that resonates with us still," Mr Hastie said.

"There are some really interesting questions about why people compete and why we place such important value on sport."

Without spoiling too much, Mr Hastie said the production made a nod to the men and women who would be going to Paris to compete this summer and those who did the same in 1924.

"There's something really beautiful that connects those people across generations," he added.

Chariots of Fire will run until 27 July at The Crucible

After a successful eight-year stint as artistic director of Sheffield Theatres, Mr Hastie said this season would be his last.

"I think it's really important, though very sad sometimes, that theatres and artistic organisations refresh their artistic leadership," he said.

"Audiences need new adventures and new voices.

"It's the right thing that there is a certain amount of turnover in these organisations and it felt like the time had come for that to happen."

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