Stafford Festival Shakespeare needs you!

Producers of Stafford Festival Shakespeare are on the hunt for local dancers to audition as fairies in this year’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Successful candidates will be given the opportunity to star alongside professional and talented actors; previous performers have included Matthew Kelly, Julie-Kate Olivier, Sally Lindsay, Rupert Hill and Eric Potts. 

They will also be directed by a high profile creative team which will include returning Choregrapher Francesca Jaynes. Francesca's recent film credits include choreographer for King of Soho and Great Expectations. She also devised the chorepgraphic sequences for the Oompa Loompas in Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as working on Sweeney Todd and Alice in Wonderland. She worked with Steven Spielberg devising movement concepts for Jude Law and the robots in his film A.I Artificial Intelligence.

   

Stafford Festival Shakespeare Producers are looking for talented dancers, aged 16+. Auditions will take place on Sunday 12 May 2013 and anyone wishing to take part must be available during the rehearsal period and all performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Those wishing to audition should report to Stafford Gatehouse Theatre on Sunday 12 May 2013 at 9.30am for registration. There is no need to prepare anything in advance. We recommend those auditioning wear comfortable clothing and shoes and bring something to drink. The performers will be split into groups and will audition with the members of the creative team for approximately 25 – 30 minutes.  During the audition the candidates will be taught a short piece, which they will then perform back to the group.

Following this the groups may be given a short extract to read or a song to sing.  There may be call-backs later in the day for auditioning dancers, so the show’s producers are asking that interested parties are available throughout the day.

For more information regarding the auditions please contact Derrick Gask, at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre on: 01785 253 595.

Story competition for A Midsummer Night’s Dream!

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre have launched a new competition for budding young writers!

Children can submit their very own fairy story inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream for a chance to win some fantastic prizes! The lucky first prize winner will receive a Family Ticket to the show, their story printed in the souvenir programme, a backstage tour meeting the cast and crew of Stafford Festival Shakespeare and a book voucher courtesy of Waterstones Stafford!Two lucky runners up will each win a Family Ticket!

The three winners will also have their stories displayed at Stafford Castle for the duration of the production is on as well as having their stories published on the Stafford Festival Shakespeare website.

Derrick Gask, Producer of the show commented: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a wonderful story filled with fairies and fantasy so it’s a perfect opportunity for youngsters to get creative and write their own magical story. We can’t wait to read them!”

To enter the competition children up to the age of 16 can either email their stories to ehogan@staffordbc.gov.uk or post them to Emma Hogan at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Eastgate Street, Stafford, ST16 2LT. All entries must be received by May 31^st and must include the entrant’s name and age, and a parent or guardian’s full name, address and contact details. The story should be no longer than 500 words. Family tickets may be used subject to availability  (exclusions will apply) on performances between 27^th June-13^th July 2013.

The Stafford Festival Shakespeare secret's out!



The Producers of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this year’s Stafford Festival Shakespeare Production, can exclusively reveal that Peter Rowe will be returning as Director following the hugely successful Romeo and Juliet. On returning Peter said: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a very special play and it’s not for nothing that it’s the favourite outdoor Shakespeare. It’s a beautiful play about illusion and reality and how close being in love is to being mad and the madness of being in love”

Peter has been able to discuss early ideas for the show, revealing a late Victorian setting for the production, listing Victorian style brass bands and Gilbert and Sullivan as key influences.

On reflecting back on the 2012 Stafford Festival Shakespeare production Peter commented: “we had a really good company and I was very proud of the show” After a particularly wet summer last year Peter added: “I think A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the one play that can cope with anything! If it does pour with rain it’ll add to the story and the experience. But I do think it’ll be a better experience all round if it’s drier than last year!”




Eric Potts

  The first cast member to be confirmed is Eric Potts, in the role of Bottom. Eric last performed to critical acclaim at Stafford Festival Shakespeare in 2011 as Dromio of Syracuse, in The Comedy of Errors. He is also fondly known for playing Diggory Compton in Coronation Street. Peter added: “there couldn’t be a better part for Eric, we’re going to have a lot of fun!”

When discussing the iconic comedy role Eric commented: “I’ve wanted to play this role since leaving Drama College! I did a radio version a few years ago but it’s taken 26 years to be able to play Bottom on stage!”

He added: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream is such a wonderful balance of comedy and love story, there’s something there for everyone. I think its one of Shakespeare’s best comedies and I know with the way we’ll be doing at the castle with live music it’ll be absolutely magical”.

On working with Director Peter Rowe again Eric said: “the way Peter has directed over the last few years has made it very accessible and I think people who perhaps would have been slightly afraid of spending hard earned money on watching Shakespeare know they’re going to get a real fun evening they’re going to enjoy”

A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be performed at Stafford Castle 27^th June-13^th July. Tickets are available from £10-£23.50 and can be reserved by calling the Box Office on 01785 254653 or by visiting www.staffordfestivalshakespeare.co.uk 

Featuring the festivals much loved combination of original music, celebration and unique setting, this magical comedy is set to again be a highlight in Staffordshire’s cultural calendar.




Eric with Phylip Harries in Comedy of Errors 2011