From Dales to Castle

Stafford Festival Shakespeare is pleased to announce that Television actress Leah Bracknell is the first confirmed name for this year’s production of Romeo and Juliet.

Best known for character Zoë Tate in Emmerdale, who was the lesbian sister to Chris Tate and daughter of Frank Tate. Leah joined the soap in 1989 and remained an integral role until her departure in 2005.  During her time in the Dales Leah was nominated for Most Popular Actress in the 8^th National Television Awards and Best Exit in The British Soap Awards.

Since leaving the soap Leah has taken on roles in BBC’s Doctors, Judge John Deed, Casualty, A Touch of Frost and The Royal Today.  Passionate about Yoga Leah has also produced two best selling Yoga DVD’s.

Leah has performed in various stage productions including numerous pantomimes throughout the country such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Jack and the Beanstalk.  Other stage appearances include Strangers on a Train and Gaslight in 2006 and The Turn of the Screw in 2008.

2012 will see Leah take on the role of Lady Capulet in Peter Rowe’s production of Romeo and Juliet at Stafford Castle.

To find out more about Stafford Festival Shakespeare and to book your tickets click here

Love Is Open Air



Romeo and Juliet 2005



"Festival Seeks Ultimate Romantics For

Secret Wedding Proposals "

To celebrate the fact that love is truly open air this year Stafford festival Shakespeare organisers are looking for Romeo’s (or forward Juliet’s) who would like to surprise their partners live on stage with the ultimate romantic gesture of love – a surprise wedding proposal, in costume, amongst the cast, in front of an audience, under the stars and to an unsuspecting lover!

Festival Producer Derrick Gask commented ‘The festival has always been extremely well supported across the region and we thought this was an excellent way of giving something back by offering four couples the perfect romantic gesture in a truly once in a life time memorable way’.

Those interested in making the ultimate romantic gesture should email their name, their partners name, their telephone number and the reason why they would like to surprise their unsuspecting Juliet (or Romeo) with a wonderfully romantic proposal, to bward@staffordbc.gov.uk by Friday 8 June 2012.

Those selected will be informed by phone no later than June 14^th 2012 and will be assisted to find a costume and plan to ensure the evening hopefully ends with rapturous applause and tears of happiness.

Stafford Festival Shakespeare is one of Europe’s largest open air Shakespeare Festivals and has enjoyed 21 years of success welcoming audiences from across the world.

This year’s performances taking place between Thursday 28 June and Saturday 14 July 2012 are set in a lawless South America where infectious rhythms of the street inflame violent passions as the two young lovers are bought together. 

To find out more about this years production and to book your tickets click here