Olympic Director for Stafford Panto!

We are thrilled that a very special Director will be coming to the Gatehouse! 

To find out who is directing Sleeping Beauty click here!

It's going to be a very special rock 'n' roll panto...

We are thrilled to announce Paulette Randall will direct Sleeping Beauty!

 

Photo by Sharon Wallace

Paulette was the Associate Director for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics and was known as Danny Boyle’s “right hand woman”. Paulette is a Rose Bruford School of Speech and Drama alumna and won the Royal Court Theatre Writer’s Award for her play Fishing in 1982. The prize was to have her play directed by Danny Boyle and watching him in rehearsals inspired her to become a director, leading on to her prolific theatre career and the highly prestigious 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremonies.

She is the former Artistic Director of Talawa Theatre Company and Paulette is also the foremost director of American playwright August Wilson's plays in this country. She most recently directed Lenny Henry in Fences in the West End to critical acclaim and has also directed Wilson’s work at the Arena Stage in Washington DC. Her other theatre credits include Twelfth Night, Moon On A Rainbow Shawl and Crossing.

Her extensive TV career includes the BAFTA nominated Desmond’s (Channel 4), The Real McCoy and The Crouches (both BBC Comedy) and Kerching! (CBBC).

Derrick Gask, Producer of Sleeping Beauty is thrilled that the internationally renowned Director has chosen the county town venue to direct her first ever pantomime: “having already begun working with Paulette I am in no doubt that this year’s show is going to be very special; she’s an exceptional director who will do a fantastic job bringing the classic fairytale to life with a Stafford rock ‘n’ roll twist”

Craig Adams

Paulette will be joining an award winning creative team, including Musical Director Craig Adams. This will be Craig’s third year in Stafford having previously been Musical Director for Beauty and the Beast and Dick Whitttington. His numerous credits include musical arrangements and direction for Kerry Ellis on her one-woman show at the Shaw Theatre, ‘Kerry Ellis - The Great British Songbook’, ‘An Audience with Kerry Ellis’ (Shaw Theatre, 2011), musical director/composer and arranger on Julie Atherton’s new album, ‘No Space for Air’ (Now available on iTunes!); vocal arranger/string and brass arrangements for ‘Love, Drunk, Soul’, The Franks new album.. He has worked on various ‘devised’ musicals, some include: ‘Bed’, ‘Apartment 15’ and ‘Festival’, as well as being Musical Director on shows such as: ‘Oh What a Lovely War’, ‘Battlements’, ‘The Watchers’, ‘Ghosts Of The Past’, ‘Smile’ and ‘My Fair Lady’ to name a few. Craig won the Tim Williams award for Best song in the ‘New Music/Old Lyric’ category in 2010 for ‘Live Hence By Truth’ (Lyric by William Shakespeare.)

“I’m really excited to be coming back, I love the Gatehouse and rock ‘n’ roll panto is my favourite time of year” Craig commented. “I’m thrilled to get the chance to work with Paulette as well as an amazing cast, we have found some extraordinary talent this year!” he added.

“Sleeping Beauty has a really strong set of songs; the music ranges from classic hits from artists like Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson to more unusual rock n roll numbers. It is filled with hit after hit and is shaping up to be an exciting show“ concluded Craig.

Sleeping Beauty runs from Wednesday 11^th December 2013 to Saturday 11^th January 2014. Tickets are available from as little as £12.50 and you can book your tickets here

All The World's A Stage: Stafford Festival Shakespeare 2014

Stafford Festival Shakespeare producers are delighted to announce that the production for 2014 will be the popular comedy As You Like It.

"The play is considered Shakespeare's finest musical comedy" commented Derrick Gask, Producer of the event. 

2013 saw the highest attendance the event has received since 2005 with 11,000 people visiting Stafford Castle to watch A Midsummer Night's Dream. The 23rd Stafford Festival Shakespeare production received critical acclaim from reviewers and audiences.

"I am so thrilled Stafford Festival Shakespeare continues to attract audiences locally and nationally. It is a true community event" Gask added.

"I can't thank our loyal audience enough for their support over the last 23 years. We are very excited for the next production" Gask concluded.

You can keep up to date with the latest news for As You Like it on the blog or by following the Gatehouse on Twitter (@StaffGatehouse) or searching for Stafford Gatehouse Theatre on Facebook.