Bottom's Blog: Week 2

The cast and crew have had another busy week, but have still found time for a cheeky slice of cake or two!

Read on to see how week two was for Eric Potts.



The Mechanicals rehearse with Peter Rowe



"To be honest, this week has seemed a bit of a dream...It has gone so fast!! Rehearsals continue apace, both acting and music and the lovely ladies of the wardrobe department have started the process of costume fittings alongside Libby our lovely designer. I am pleased to say that the measurements I sent in a few weeks ago still seem to be accurate and my costume fits despite the cherry scones and banana loaf I may or may not have been consuming on a regular basis from the Gatehouse Theatre Coffee Shop. (We are working very hard, we all have to keep our strength up!!)

We seem to have achieved a great deal this week including the staging of Pyramus & Thisbe - the play within the play, which I promise you will be different to and funnier than any version you have ever seen before!



Eric, Andy, Phylip and James in music rehearsals.



On a sadder note...the sunshine streaming in our music studio skylights faded to such an extent that Peter Rowe our esteemed director had to delay the start of rehearsals until he had popped to M & S to purchase some dry socks after he and his cycle were caught in a deluge on the way to work! Let's hope that is the last downpour until July 14th!!

This week the final touches and for me, the dreaded D word...dance!!  I will keep you all posted!



Eric xx"

Summer Cinema at Shugborough!

On Saturday 17^th August Shugborough will host a family-friendly screening of Dreamworks’ ‘Madagascar’ during the afternoon, with the smash-hit turned cinema box-office favourite ‘Mamma Mia’ in the evening. Offering two fantastic events to delight young and old, that it’s hoped will see ‘Summer Cinema’ return year on year.

The 40sqm LED screen and stunning surround sound system with Blu Ray format film, will be almost three times bigger than in 2011 when films were last screened in the magnificent parkland setting of the Shugborough Estate. Following on from the success of those events, Stafford-based Generate Events, have invested heavily in the quality of the cinematic experience and added lots of additional attractions and activities, whilst at the same time keeping standard ticket prices the same.

Gates open at midday for ‘Madagascar’ with the film screening at 1.30pm as part of a fun-filled day out for families, which also includes Signal Radio’s Family Roadshow, music, face-painting, fancy dress and competitions. Families can even bring their own food and drinks along, to enjoy a picnic whilst they watch. Advance tickets are priced at just £20 for a family of four, or individually priced at £6 per person. Tickets also include parking and entry to the magnificent Shugborough Estate, so offer great value for a family day out on a budget.

 “There’s plenty of space for kids to run around and play safely, if they can’t sit still long enough to watch a film” said Generate Events’ Matt Hudson “ I know many parents can’t take kids to an indoor cinema for that very reason, so this venue is perfect!”

In the evening, it’s time to warm up the vocal cords and get your dancing shoes on, as Shugborough gets ready to party! With an all-star cast including Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Julie Walters, ‘Mamma Mia’ is a perennial girl’s night out favourite.

Signal Radio will get the party started when gates re-open at 6pm, with ‘Mamma Mia’ screening from 8pm. “We’ve created a really fabulous event with real fun and sparkle” said Matt “With advance tickets from just £8 up to limited VIP Guest Tickets at £18 which include priority parking, queue-jumping entry, a private drinks service, preferential viewing area, even luxury loos – there are all the ingredients for everyone to enjoy a great night out with friends and family.”

Visitors to both events have the choice to bring their own picnics, food, drinks, picnic blankets and fold-out chairs and relax in the beautiful surroundings of Shugborough. For those who prefer, both events will also offer bars, a selection of hot food outlets, ice-cream, popcorn and coffee.

Tickets for ‘Madagascar’ are £6.60 per person or £22 for a Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children).

Tickets for ‘Mamma Mia’ are £11 per person, £8.80 for concessions and £19.80 for VIP Guest Tickets. (Prices include all booking fees)

All tickets can be booked via Stafford Gatehouse Theatre.

For large group bookings (10 or more) and gazebo bookings call Generate Events on 01785 887856.



Bottom's Blog

The lovely Eric Potts has written a guest blog for us! Eric will be playing Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream and here's how the first week of rehearsals went for him:

Week One.

And so, as the cast, creative team, stage management and technical crew converged on sunny Stafford, the excitement grew as this year’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the castle continued to approach apace!

I seem to have spent a significant number of days staring longingly out at the sun from within the confines of the Gatehouse Theatre – and this week proved to be much the same. 

Phyl Harries in rehearsal with musical
director Greg Palmer

Week One of rehearsals and the set was marked out on the Gatehouse stage whilst the Copeland Room, bathed in warm sunlight through the glass panels on the roof became the production’s music studio. A Monday morning read-through of the play followed by a look at the wonderful costume drawings and impressive set – (much more open this year, cleverly using the natural landscape of the castle site – still with some very clever surprises though!!) – and after the obligatory first day lunch of a jacket spud from the potato man on Market Square the rehearsal process began.  Whilst the “mechanicals” tried to master some of the music featuring in this year’s show, the “lovers” started to plot their amorous journeys through the wonderful text.

It’s been a great first week, and so lovely to be back in Stafford. I can safely say already that “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is going to be one of the best, and funniest productions at the Castle and should you wish to glimpse my Bottom in the midst of many other wonderfully talented performers get booking those seats for a night of fun and music in the shadow of the stunning Stafford Castle.

Will keep you all updated next week!!

Eric x

A Midsummer Night's Dream: Full Cast

The cast have arrived and rehearsals are in full swing. We are very excited to have the following talented actors with us!

Andy Cresswell

Snout

Andy's numerous theatre credits include The Government Inspector, Water Babies and Treasure Island for Northern Broadsides. His other Shakespeare credits include Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Ricahrd III, all for Heartbreak Productions.

Robert Fitch

Theseus

Robert trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts. Alongside his
numerous theatre credits, he is also a talented musician and has toured
with the band Zed as a bass and harmonica player. His television and
film credits include Doctors and Shaun Of The Dead.

Craig Fletcher

Lysander

Craig trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. Since graduating
from RADA, Craig has recently played the role of Guy Kirk in the British
Premier of the American Musical Boy Meets Boy. His other theatre
credits include Sky in the West End production Mamma Mia!




Jennifer Greenwood

Hermia

Jennifer trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Her theatre credits include Dancing At Lughnasa, Tobacco Factory; Knives In Hens, Greenwich Theatre; Health Wealth, Old Vic New Voices.

James Haggie

Flute

Following his popular performance as Balthasar in 2012's Romeo and Juliet,  the talented actor and musician is back! James is also well known and loved for his regular appearances in the Rock 'n' Roll pantomimes at Theatr Clwyd.

Phylip Harries

Quince

Phylip makes a very welcome return to SFS following his hugely popular performances in Dromio of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors and as Sir Hugh Evans in The Merry Wives of Windsor. Families may also recognise him from his performance as Mouse in Theatr Na n'Og's Aesop's Fables which visited the Gatehouse last year. The company's latest production We Need Bees, directed by Phylip has just visited the Gatehouse in May!

Anthony Hunt

Starveling

Most recently Anthony has performed in Mother Courage at the Lowry Theatre. Anthony returns to Stafford Festival Shakespeare after his well received performance as Friar Lawrence in 2012's Romeo and Juliet.

Simone James

Titania

Not just a talented actress, Simone is also a highly skilled dancer. Most recently she performed as Melody in Neghbors at the HighTide Festival Theatre. Simone's television credits include Silent Witness. Eastenders and Holby City.

Paul Kissaun

 Egeus

Paul is delighted to be back this year having appeared last year in Romeo and Juliet as Montague and the Apothecary. During the 80's and 90's Paul was a member of The Flying Pickets with whom he still makes the occasional appearance. Paul's other theatre credits include Wind In The Willows, National Theatre and Alive In Wonderland, Royal Shakespeare Company.

Lanre Malaolu

Puck

A talented dancer and actor, Lanre's theatre credits include Marate/Sade and A Midsummer Night's Dream, both RSC; and Macbeth, Globe. His television credits include The Bill, The Armstrong and Miller Show and Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor.

 

Eamonn O'Dwyer

Demetrius

Stafford Festival Shakespeare fans will recognise Eamonn from his performance as Antipholus of Ephesus in 2011's The Comedy of Errors. Eamonn's other theatre credits include The Glass Menagerie, Chipping Norton Theatre; The Tempert, Watermill Theatre; and War Horse, West End.

Eric Potts

Bottom

Eric last performed to critical acclaim at Stafford Festival Shakespeare in 2011 as Dromio of Syracuse, in The Comedy of Errors. He is also fondly known for playing Diggory Compton in Coronation Street.



Georgina White

Helena

Most recently Georgina has played the lead role of Betty in the Blonde Bombshells of 1943 at the Oldham Coliseum and the New Vic Theatre. She also starred as Olivia in the Stafford Festival Shakespeare production of Twelfth Night in 2009. Georgina is a talented singer and musician, specialising in piano and bassoon.

 

Stafford Music Festival is back, bigger and better than ever!

Stafford Music Festival is returning for it’s 12^th year from 11^th – 25^th May, bringing a variety of music to suit all tastes from classical to jazz, folk and blues, choral and big bands.

The Gatehouse Theatre and The MET Studio have a jam packed schedule of exciting performances as part of this event.



Ewan McLennan



Kicking off the musical festivities will be Ewan McLennan on Saturday11^th May, in the MET Studio. The folk singer is already having a superb year, as he was most recently awarded Best Male Singer at the Spiral Earth Awards 2013. Tickets for his performance are just £10.

Following on will be Martin Carthy, performing in the Gatehouse Theatre on Thursday 16^th  May. For more than 40 years Martin Carthy has been one of folk music's greatest innovators, one of its best loved, most enthusiastic and, at times, most quietly

controversial of figures. His skill, stage presence and natural charm have won him many admirers, not only from within the folk scene, but also far beyond it. Tickets are available at £15 / £13 concessions.

Manchester Camerata return for the finale of their 40^th anniversary season on Friday 17^th May. Conducting the concert will be Music Director, Gábor Takács-Nagy whose engaging style of presentation has endeared him to audiences in Stafford since he took up post in 2011. He will be joined by Camerata’s magnetic young leader, Giovanni Guzzo, for Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, whose recent performance of the Four Seasons in Stafford played to a sell-out audience. The second half will be Beethoven Symphony no.2, written at a time of great personal turmoil for the composer yet remarkably the symphony has an incredible joy and vigour, with a typically uplifting finale. Tickets are £15 / £13 concessions, with a limited number of tickets available at £5 for under 26s and £3 for under 18s.



Manchester Camerata

Carpenters fans can celebrate the legacy of Karen Carpenter with Voice of The Heart on May 18^th, starring local performer Rachel Dean. This stunning two hour show in the Gatehouse Theatre will recreate some of the most loved hits of The Carpenters. Tickets are £19 / £18 concessions.

The MET Studio will come to life with an evening of stunning Spanish music from guitar virtuoso El Moreno on Thursday 23^rd May. His performance will blend classical, Latin-American and flamenco styles and tickets are £11 / £9 concessions.



Saturday 25^th May sees a busy day for The MET Studio with two performances from Jackie Oates at 3pm and 8pm. The singer is a phenomenon in the exploding folk-pop scene in the UK today.  Originally a member of The Mercury-nominated The Unthanks (then Rachel Unthank & The Winterset), Jackie Oates has since carved out an astonishing solo career which has made her a name to conjure with in folk music circles, in demand for work with other artists, cosmetics stores, collaborative projects, and even the subject of pop-art! Tickets are £15 / £13 concessions.



Jackie Oates

Ending the celebrations will be Richard Digance on Saturday 25^th May in the Gatehouse Theatre. Richard Digance is not just a singer/guitarist, and not merely one of the country’s most celebrated comedy entertainers, he is also a one man creative industry, whose achievements are acknowledged around the world. A BAFTA nominated performer, a world acclaimed poet, an author and an artist. Truly an evening not to be missed, with tickets just £16.50

Other venues taking part in the Music Festival include Joxer Brady's, The Swan Hotel and Ye Olde Rose and Crown. We can't wait!

Stafford Music Festival website

See the full line up on our website






Stafford Festival Shakespeare needs you!

Producers of Stafford Festival Shakespeare are on the hunt for local dancers to audition as fairies in this year’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Successful candidates will be given the opportunity to star alongside professional and talented actors; previous performers have included Matthew Kelly, Julie-Kate Olivier, Sally Lindsay, Rupert Hill and Eric Potts. 

They will also be directed by a high profile creative team which will include returning Choregrapher Francesca Jaynes. Francesca's recent film credits include choreographer for King of Soho and Great Expectations. She also devised the chorepgraphic sequences for the Oompa Loompas in Tim Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as working on Sweeney Todd and Alice in Wonderland. She worked with Steven Spielberg devising movement concepts for Jude Law and the robots in his film A.I Artificial Intelligence.

   

Stafford Festival Shakespeare Producers are looking for talented dancers, aged 16+. Auditions will take place on Sunday 12 May 2013 and anyone wishing to take part must be available during the rehearsal period and all performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Those wishing to audition should report to Stafford Gatehouse Theatre on Sunday 12 May 2013 at 9.30am for registration. There is no need to prepare anything in advance. We recommend those auditioning wear comfortable clothing and shoes and bring something to drink. The performers will be split into groups and will audition with the members of the creative team for approximately 25 – 30 minutes.  During the audition the candidates will be taught a short piece, which they will then perform back to the group.

Following this the groups may be given a short extract to read or a song to sing.  There may be call-backs later in the day for auditioning dancers, so the show’s producers are asking that interested parties are available throughout the day.

For more information regarding the auditions please contact Derrick Gask, at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre on: 01785 253 595.

Story competition for A Midsummer Night’s Dream!

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre have launched a new competition for budding young writers!

Children can submit their very own fairy story inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream for a chance to win some fantastic prizes! The lucky first prize winner will receive a Family Ticket to the show, their story printed in the souvenir programme, a backstage tour meeting the cast and crew of Stafford Festival Shakespeare and a book voucher courtesy of Waterstones Stafford!Two lucky runners up will each win a Family Ticket!

The three winners will also have their stories displayed at Stafford Castle for the duration of the production is on as well as having their stories published on the Stafford Festival Shakespeare website.

Derrick Gask, Producer of the show commented: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a wonderful story filled with fairies and fantasy so it’s a perfect opportunity for youngsters to get creative and write their own magical story. We can’t wait to read them!”

To enter the competition children up to the age of 16 can either email their stories to ehogan@staffordbc.gov.uk or post them to Emma Hogan at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Eastgate Street, Stafford, ST16 2LT. All entries must be received by May 31^st and must include the entrant’s name and age, and a parent or guardian’s full name, address and contact details. The story should be no longer than 500 words. Family tickets may be used subject to availability  (exclusions will apply) on performances between 27^th June-13^th July 2013.