He hasn't trodden the boards for ten years - but now Kenneth Branagh is here, in Sheffield, playing Richard III at the Crucible.

Why did he decide to take the part? And why here in South Yorkshire? Here, he tells BBC Radio Sheffield's Rony Robinson:

Branagh: back after ten years

And what was the performance like? These people queued for hours, but they thought it was worth it!

And our theatre critic was impressed too - here's her review of the show:

Branagh's return to the stage was always going to be eagerly anticipated. And it's an undoubted success - truly entertaining theatre. The audience loved it.

Branagh's performance is agile and witty. He switches from charmer to manipulator effortlessly, and steers the production away from becoming a pantomime farce (though at times it sails close to the wind). He is clearly a classy performer - and enjoying it.

But he's supported by several excellent performances. Barbara Jefford as Queen Margaret spits her copious, exquisite insults with more venom than a trapped snake. Gerard Horan as Clarence brings a third dimension to a character who can sometimes seem a little flat. The children are nauseating, but that's to be expected.

The production is complemented by the simple, classic sets. Though they don't help with the acoustics, the unfrivolous pillars and props add a required solemnity to the play.

Perhaps my only criticism of the direction is that, by overstressing the humour earlier in the play, Richard's descent into inner turmoil, guilt and self-loathing is left a little rushed at the end.

Being ultra-picky, the direction doesn't always consider the acoustics of the Crucible. The actors turn their backs on sections of the audience at times, and their words get lost.

But otherwise, it's a slick crowd-pleaser which stays true enough to the script to keep the buffs happy. Catch it if you can.