Star casting for Stafford Festival Shakespeare production of As You Like It!

We're getting very excited for this year's production of As You Like It at Stafford Castle, especially since announcing our first two performers.

Taking on the role of Jacques will be Only Fools and Horses legend John Challis. John is best

known for his portrayal of that national institution Boycie in the popular TV series. He also starred with TV wife 'Marlene' in their own series The Green Green Grass which had four highly succesful series on BBC1.

"I am delighted to have been offered the part of Jacques in As You Like It. I played Malvolio in Twelfth Night two years ago at Ludlow Casyle and he and Jacques are both melancholic characters, so I'm being type cast again!" commented Challis.

"How lucky I am to be playing at Stafford Castle, it's a backdrop to die for!" added Challis.

John Challis

For many years he has also enjoyed a successful career in theatre, film and radio as well as many other television appearances. Some of the high points inclide: Appearing in London and New York in Tom Stoppard's Dogg's Hamlet; Cahoot's Macbeth; the National Theatre productions of On the Razzle and The Rivals with Sir Michael Horden; a six part of Dr Who with Tom Baker called The Seeds of Doom, two BBC radio musicals recorded before a live audience; Guys and Dolls as Nathan Detroit; National tours of Entertaining Mr Sloane with Barbara Windsor and Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23rd Floor with Frank Finlay.

John has also been seen on television in My Family, The Last Of The Summer Wine, Doctors and Heartbeat.

"We are hugely excited about working with John, he is an incredibly accomplished television and stage actor. I know he will be ideal for the role with his perfect comic timing and unrivalled deadpan delivery" commented Producer Derrick Gask.

"It's shaping up to be a very, very special year" added Gask.

We're also thrilled to see the return of Eric Potts, who is returning to Stafford Castle to play Touchstone.

Eric Potts

It marks Eric's fifth year at Stafford Castle after performing in Twelfth Night (2009), The Merry Wives Of Windsor (2010), The Comedy Of Errors (2011) and a critically acclaimed performance as Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream last year.

"I really am looking forward to coming back! I enjoy being in Stafford very much and I have never played this character before" commented Potts.

"I know already from tradition the show will have great music and will be lots of fun" concluded Potts.

Eric is best known for playing Diggory Compton in Coronation Street and his exstensive theatre career includes playing Danny in Brassed Off, Major Wyndham-Pitts in A Little Local Difficulty, Al in April in Paris, Oliver Hardy in Laurel and Hardy and Mannie Bernard in Simply The Best. His other television credits include Last Of The Summer Wine, Doctor Who and Brookside.

As You Like It opens at Stafford Castle on Sunday 29th June and runs until Saturday 12th July.

Tickets are on sale now and start from just £11. You can book yours by calling 01785 254653 or by visiting www.staffordfestivalshakespeare.co.uk