Susie’s Prague celebration

Susie, our Sleeping Beauty doll, isn't getting much sleep these days. She's back once again from her trip around the world. This time she’s been spreading the word in Prague about our rock n’ roll panto, which runs up to January 11, 2014. You can book tickets here if you haven’t already.

Dear friends,

I have now made the long trip to Prague after visiting Belfast to spread the word of rock n’ roll. The second time I’ve been on a plane was even more exciting than the last. I can’t wait to go on one again!

Prague is home to many famous bridges. Here am I on the Charles Bridge with a couple of friends. It’s 621 meters long, so you can bet it took me a while to cross. My friends explained that his bridge was instrumental in making Prague a trade route between Eastern and Western Europe.

On a sunny, but very chilly day

Here’s a picture of me by the Vltava river, about to go on a romantic river cruise. I just wish my childhood sweetheart, Simon Steadfast, could be here with me.  

Close-up. Oh no, I had my eyes closed.

Why is everything in Prague so big? Another example of Gothic architecture, St. Vitus Cathedral is nearly 100m tall. It makes a doll like me feel very tiny. It’s also really old. Apparently, in the 1300s, when the cathedral was built, some of the designs were considered to be revolutionary.

Finally, this is me and my friend at the clock tower. Installed in 1410, it’s the third oldest astronomical clock tower in the world, and the oldest one still working.  Who needs a watch in Prague when you have this?

On top of the world

That’s all for my travels in Prague, I’m afraid. Now I’ve got to get some rest for my next trip. I’m not certain where I’m going, but I know it’ll be tons of fun.

Your friend,

Susie

A Belfast adventure

The newest post from Princess Susie, our Sleeping Beauty doll travelling around the world is finally here. If you’d like Princess Susie to visit you, send an email to Emma Hogan on ehogan@staffordbc.gov.uk.

There's still time to book your tickets for this year’s Sleeping Beauty rock ´n´ roll panto, which runs until January 11, 2014. You can also call us on 01785 254653.

Dear friends,

Susie here. I’m finally back from my trip to Belfast, the lovely capital of Northern Ireland. When I arrived there, I was so amazed by the scenery that I couldn't decide what to do first.

After a while of gazing at the outdoors, it became clear to me that there was only one place to go in the spirit of Christmas - the Belfast Christmas market.

Where I had a steaming cup of mulled wine

The market had cheeses, olives, pastries and rare meats like kangaroo and alligator. It was so full of Christmas cheer and delicious foods that I felt like I never wanted to leave. Here I am, looking very excited, next to the Belfast Christmas market poster.

A very jolly experience indeed

The locals told me that the city has much more to offer and that I should spend my time here wisely. So I decided to visit Titanic Belfast.

Wow! The building was grand as the Irish folk would say. That’s no surprise though as it‘s described as the largest Titanic visiting centre in the world. It was such an experience to relive the Titanic story in a giant six-floor building. Here I am outside the famous visitor centre.

Just resting my eyes a little bit

On my last day in lovely little Belfast, I decided to go to the seaside. It might seem like a strange thing to do in December but I’ve never been to the seaside before. Here I am staring up at the clouds and blues skies.

Staring at the sun beyond the clouds

On my way to the airport, I noticed a poster for Belfast’s production of Sleeping Beauty. It doesn’t look quite as rock ’n‘ roll as my Stafford Gatehouse Theatre’s take on the classic tale but I’m sure they’ll do me justice!

I think I'm definitely prettier 

Belfast has been such a great experience for a little doll like me, the people are friendly, the accent is brilliant and the city is full of culture. I’m so in love with this place but it’s time to move on, I hear Prague calling!

Your friend,
Susie

Rock ‘n‘ rolling in the happiest of cities

The third blog post from Princess Susie, our Sleeping Beauty doll that is currently travelling around the world, is out today. If you’d like Princess Susie to visit you, just drop us an email at ehogan@staffordbc.gov.uk.

Spread the word and don’t forget to book your tickets for this year’s Sleeping Beauty rock ´n´ roll panto, which opens on December 13. You can also call us on 01785 254653.

Dear friends,

Susie here. After a long journey through the Carpathian mountains I finally arrived in Romania’s capital city, Bucharest. It’s a very big and crowded place, but I really like it. The name comes from the word “bucur” which means joy or happiness. And it really is a fun place, I’ll tell you that.

Yesterday I visited the biggest building I’ve ever seen - the Palace of the Parliament. Its so big, the World Records Academy named it the world’s largest civilian building with an administrative function as well as the most expensive administrative building and the heaviest building in the world. Here I am, posing in front of it. I had to take the picture from very far away, so I could fit all of the building in the frame.

In front of the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest

After this, my friends and I went for a drive around Bucharest city centre. We were stuck in traffic for ages.

I even practiced my driving a little bit

...and ages.

 I was ready to walk the rest of the way

Ater what seemed like days, we managed to get to a lovely place called the Romanian Athenaeum. It’s a huge concert hall, similar to the Royal Albert Hall in London. This is where classical music concerts are perfomed almost daily. I was lucky enough to go in and listen to a symphonic concert, and I have to say I absolutely loved it. I’d really like to learn how to play the violin.

In front of the amazing Romanian Athenaeum

Bucharest is a great place to visit and I had a really lovely time, but I’m going to have to move on now. There’s still so much more to see. I decided to hitchhike for a while. I’m not sure where I’ll be heading next, but I bet it‘s going to be somewhere exciting. In the meanwhile, safety first.

On my way to the next destination

Your friend,
Susie

Staffordshire performer back to play panto heroine in her home county!

Not only is Beth Peach-Robinson excited to be making her pantomime debut, she gets to make it in her home county. Beth will be performing as Princess Susie in Sleeping Beauty the Rock ‘n’ Roll panto from Wednesday 11th December to Saturday 11th January 2014.

She grew up in Featherstone and even performed at the Gatehouse as a young child.

As a teen Beth attended Wolverhampton Girls High School and spent four years performing with the Wolverhampton Musical Comedy Company. Last year Beth took part in Follow That Dream at the Princes of Wales Theatre Cannock, an event created to assist young people developing their careers in the performing arts. She also taught and performed with Theatre First, a musical holiday workshop for children based at Great Wyrley High School.

Beth gained a degree in Music from the University of Cardiff and then went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Music Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music.

"I chose to audition for a rock an roll panto because I had heard from a few friends that they were brilliant fun to be a part of, and I love playing saxophone and just really enjoyed the idea of playing it in a panto!" said Beth.

She has just finished touring with the hit musical Carnaby Street whilst starting rehearsals for the rock ‘n’ roll panto in Stafford.

"Performing in Carnaby Street over the last 3 months has prepared me well for panto in terms of the amount of music there is to learn and the rigorous rehearsal schedule" added Beth.
 
"I am so excited to be performing in my home county, and apart from the brilliant Stafford audiences I am most looking forward to Christmas at home with my family."

You can book your tickets for Sleeping Beauty by clicking here or by calling our box office on 01785 254653.

Très Très Cabaret: Performer anonuncement for December 27th show!

Following from the stellar sold out opening night on September 14th, Très Très Cabaret is back with a bang on December 27th and tickets are selling fast! Here is the incredible line up for December's show...

Abigail Collins. Photo by Mat Ricardo

Abigail Collins

After expelling herself from The Royal Ballet School, pint-sized comedy powerhouse Abigail Collins has become well known on the cabaret circuit for her mix of comedy, circus and ability to push the envelope well past its sticking point.

Whether dancing Swan Lake on traffic cones as her Russian diva Katinka, or hooping up a storm as Angel Rodriguez, Brooklyn's answer to Beyoncé, Abigail's work is skillful, sexy and very, very silly. The physique of an athlete and the mouth of Joan Rivers.

'Terrific skills-based character comedian' - Time Out

'The hilarious and flexible Abigail Collins' The Stage

London Cabaret Award Nominee 2011, Winner "Best Comic Act" Milan Burlesque
Award 2012

Eliza Delite. Photo by Grace Elkin

Eliza Delite

Eliza emerged from a myriad creative disciplines and ex pantomime comic. Striking a happy balance between funny, sexy and mesmerising, Eliza’s acts will leave you inspired and bedazzled.

Winner of "Best British Female" at the World Burlesque Games in 2012, and fresh from performances in Berlin and Stockholm, the glorious Eliza DeLite will be appearing for your entertainment and selecta toon at Très Très Cabaret!

Ginger Blush

Ginger Blush

As winner of London Burlesque Week Newcomer 2010, Ginger and her killer curves have shimmied straight to the top of the burlesque bill with headlining performances in top London venues, theatres  in the UK and throughout Europe . Keeping her finger on the performance pulse has resulted in a recent nomination for Best Burlesque Act 2013 at The London Cabaret Awards.

Spurred on by her success, Ginger keeps audiences hot under the collar time and again delivering a diverse variety of acts. From Queen Elizabeth I to a hard-hat wearing handyman, Ginger’s ingenious choreography, musical medleys and handcrafted costumes put Ms Blush in a league of her own in the burlesque scene.

She jetted off to Chicago in September 2013 followed by New York and Switzerland, and now she performs for you in Stafford!

 

The Tom Show

The Tom Show

Tom is a sensational variety performer specialising in magic, contortion and juggling to name but a few! What this man can do with a tennis racquet has to be seen to be believed.

Tom is a seasoned performer having performed all over the world, and has become a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Tickets for Très Très Cabaret are just £15 and are already very limited. To visit the website and book your tickets click here!