No place like home

Princess Susie, our Sleeping Beauty doll, is back home where she belongs. Here's an account of  her return to Stafford Gatehouse Theatre. 

If you've had a chance to see the Sleeping Beauty Panto, please leave us a comment to let us know what you thought of it. 

For all you Panto fans out there, we have great news. You can already book your tickets for the 2014 Rock 'n' Roll Panto Cinderella here, or by calling our box office on 01785 254 653.


Dear friends,

Susie here. Golly gosh, it's good to be back home! With all the exciting adventures lately, I didn't even realise how much I missed my beloved Gatehouse Theatre, with it's lovely people and the incredibly tasty scones you can get in our café.

After almost two months of travelling, I'm finally back to sunny Stafford. If I do say so myself, the timing of my return was spot-on! I came back just in time for the last show inspired by your favourite Sleeping Beauty doll – me.

Being the busy body that I am, I couldn't resist helping out with the show. Here I am making some last minute adjustments on a costume. It would seem someone has got a little festively plump over the holidays...

I love helping out back stage

Since Fairy Frederica was a little bit late that evening, I made sure her microphone and wig were in working order before the show. I think blue brings out the colour of my eyes, don't you?

Blue has always been my favourite colour. 

I never realised I had so many fans on the Gatehouse Theatre team. Everyone wanted to get their photo taken with me. Here I am preparing cues with lovely Abbie, one of the theatre's technicians.

They don't call me Susie Q for nothing

During the performance, I helped Deputy Stage Manager Beth run the show. She's brilliant at it, but I also had some very valuable input, I think.

A very bright light we have here

Here I am, after the show, congratulating Beth Peach-Robinson on her excellent portrayal of me during the last month or so. She's such a gifted performer, I'm honoured she was the one who brought my story to life.

We could be twins, don't you think?

In all the excitement and the celebrations, I snuck back to the office for a little while. It's nice and warm in here and it feels like home. Despite the excitement of my travels and the amazing people I've met along the way, I can honestly say there's no place like home. In fact, I felt so happy and content, that I decided to take a little nap on the keyboard. There really is no place like home!

I missed this!

Your friend,
Princess Susie

PS: I'd like to thank everyone who has been reading my travel journal. Remember, if you like stories, magic and music, you're going to love our next Panto – a rock 'n' roll version of Cinderella - so book your tickets now. I have a feeling I might also be around for it.

Princess Susie's youngest fan

Princess Susie, our Sleeping Beauty doll who isn’t getting much sleep these days, is back once again from her trip around the world. 

This time she’s been spreading the word in Kenilworth of our rock n’ roll panto to fans young and old, which runs up to January 11. You can book tickets here, or by calling 01785 254 653, if you haven’t already. 

Dear friends,

After travelling the world, my most recent journey took me to a lovely town a little closer to home. This time I visited the beautiful Kenilworth in Warwickshire, which is just down the road from Stafford. Well, almost.

I decided it was time to visit some of my adoring fans. I can tell Jessie here really looks up to me, and was very happy to meet me. She also looks as sleepy as I feel. Get your beauty sleep Jessie, I know it’s how I stay so fresh.

Having a cuddle with Jessie

There are lots of places I still want to visit, but it’s always nice to meet new people and make some friends. I’m sure everyone can enjoy our Sleeping Beauty rock n’ roll panto, even if they’re as young as Jessie.

That’s all for my trip to Kenilworth. I’m now about to go back home to my beloved Stafford, but I think I’m going to take a lesson from Jessie and have a quick nap before I set off.

Your friend,
Princess Susie

Tickets for Très Très Cabaret 2014 dates now on sale!

TIckets for Très Très Cabaret's 2014 dates! Stafford's only cabaret and burlesque night returns to The MET Studio on Saturday 12th April, Saturday 18th October and concludes with an extra special Christmas spectacular on Saturday 27th December!

Both nights sold out well in advance last year so make sure you book in early to avoid dissapointment! If you haven't been to Tr­­ès Très Cabaret yet the pictures below will show you what you've been missing...

Host Stage Door Johnny

The stunning Ginger Blush

Abigail Collins delivered an incredible hula hoop routine!

Abi Collins

 

Eliza Delite starts her first stunning performance

Eliza Delite

Eliza Delite

 

The Tom Show's bizarre and brilliant tennis racquet performance!

The Tom Show squeezes through the racquet!

Ginger Blush returns to the stage

Death defying stunts from The Tom Show!

Eliza Delite returns for another stunning performance

To make sure you don't miss out,  book your tickets for Très Très Cabaret here!

All photos by Ana Sidon

Happy New Year from Princess Susie!

Princess Susie, our Sleeping Beauty doll, is finally back from her trip around the world. 

You still have one last chance to see the Sleeping Beauty Panto at the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre until January 11. Just book your tickets here or by ringing our box office on 01785 254 653.

Dear friends,

The last two months have been incredible! I’ve seen so many interesting places and met some amazing and wonderful people.

After spending Christmas at the Harry Potter studios and helping out at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, I indulged myself and stayed in Wales to welcome the New Year. Luckily, my friends saved my Christmas presents until I got here. I was just getting ready to open them when this picture was taken.

I got a lovely new tiara, and an electric toothbrush.

My friends and I decided to go for a short road trip before the end of the year celebrations. As always, safety first!

Just taking a short nap

2013 was an amazing year. I travelled the world and had some terribly exciting adventures. I’m so happy I decided to wake up and hit the road when I did, although I really miss my darling Simon Steadfast. Here I am, admiring the lovely Welsh countryside and daydreaming of my sweetheart.

Sunny skies always make me sleepy

After my drive, I went on a quick shopping spree, to get everything ready for the big New Year’s Eve party my friends were organising. I bought myself a lovely new dress and even some mistletoe for good luck.

Like any princess, I love shopping

I couldn't help myself and also went into a music shop, where I tested out some guitars and practiced some of my favourite tunes, including Celebration, Don’t Leave Me This Way and my best-loved Wake Up Little Susie. In fact, I even performed that one at the New Year’s party.

Speaking of which, I had a great time on New Year’s Eve. I spent the entire night dancing and celebrating and I even enjoyed a tiny glass of champagne. It was the best way to finish off a sensational year. Here I am at the end of the night, barely able to keep my eyes open.

I hope your winter holidays were at least as exciting and fun as mine. Although the New Year has already started and most of you are probably back at work, here’s a belated Happy New Year wish from your friend, Princess Susie. I hope 2014 brings you all the love and happiness you deserve!

Your friend,
Princess Susie

Behind the scenes in Ipswich

Princess Susie, our Sleeping Beauty doll, has been helping out behind the scenes at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich. 

If you'd like the doll to visit you, just email Emma Hogan on ehogan@staffordbc.gov.uk for more information.

Have you already been to see our Sleeping Beauty rock ‘n’ roll panto? Why not go again? It’s on at the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre until January 11, 2014. Just book your tickets here or give us a call on 01785 254 653.

Dear friends,

I’ve had an incredible Christmas so far, and I really hope you have too. After visiting the Harry Potter studios, I headed down to Ipswich, to see my friends at the New Wolsey Theatre.

This holiday season, the theatre will be entertaining their fans with a rock ‘n’ roll production of Dick Whittington. My friends here tell me that performances run up to January 25, and should be a treat for audiences of all ages.

Here I am, backstage before a show, helping some of the cast rehearse their lines. We had a great time and I haven’t laughed so hard since seeing this year’s Stafford Gatehouse’s rock ‘n’ roll panto.

Turning the pages proved to be a bit of a challenge

If you happen to be in Ipswich over the holidays and you notice that the streets are paved with rock ‘n’ roll classics, blame it on the musical twist on the traditional tale. Just make sure you don’t miss it!

Your friend,

The travelling Princess Susie

Stupefy – Princess Susie's visit to the Harry Potter studios

Princess Susie, our Sleeping Beauty doll, just won't stay put. She celebrated Christmas by visiting the Harry Potter studios in London. 

If you would like Susie to visit you, please send an email to Emma Hogan on ehogan@staffordbc.gov.uk. 

Also, if you still haven't booked your tickets to this year's rock 'n' roll panto, don't wait any longer. It only runs until January 11, 2014. Just call us on 01785 254653 or book online here.

Dear friends,

I don't know if you're aware of this, but I love reading. My favourite books are fairy tales and fantasy novels, where anything is possible and magic is the only rule that applies. That's why I was incredibly excited when my friend Fiona from the Stafford train station offered to take me with her to the Harry Potter studios in London.

The journey seemed like it would take a while, so I took a nap in Fiona's bag and, before I knew it, I woke up on Privet Drive, where the amazing Harry Potter grew up. Do you know why J.K. Rowling chose this name for the street where the Harry Potter novels started? According to Pottermore, it's because of the privet bush, a hedge that isolates houses in the suburbs. Apparently J.K. Rowling thought suburbia and isolation linked well with the Dursleys, who go to such lengths to stay away from anything even remotely magical.

I spent my day at the Harry Potter studio admiring some amazing outfits and original sets from the films.

I also found some very realistic and a little bit scary masks that some of the characters wore. Who did you think was the scariest character? I was always terrified of Lord Voldermort.

However, I always loved Dobby, the house elf, despite him being a bit clumsy and getting Harry into all sorts of trouble. Here I am with Dobby, who was particularly tired that day. Too bad we both have our eyes closed in this picture.

Finally, I had a lovely Christmas dinner at the studios and thoroughly enjoyed a very delicious mince pie. If I don't get to see you before Christmas, I wish you all a peaceful holiday, filled with love, cheer and happiness! Merry Christmas!

Your jolly friend,

Princess Susie