Sleeping Beauty: Meet the cast!

Today is the first day of rehearsals of Sleeping Beauty! Here's who's playing who...

Greg Barrowman: Simon Steadfast

Greg was one of the youngest recipients of a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Musical Theatre having just turned 16 from the Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre Arts (GAMTA) He trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly RSAMD). He is a skilled guitarist. Greg understudied John Barrowman for the past three years in Pantomime at the SECC.

Noa Bodner: Morgana 

Noa is a talented alto sax and harmonica player. Her theatre credits in Israel, the UK & Europe include: Paper Dolls, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Les Miserables, Her film credits include Paramount Pictures World War Z.

Gregory Clarke: Mordred

Greg is returning to Stafford for his second rock ‘n’ roll panto following his role as Primp in Beauty and The Beast. As well as being a gifted guitarist, Gregory trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. He is currently playing the role of Al in Carnaby Street (UK Tour) His other theatre credits include Chess (directed by Craig Revel-Horwood ) and The Woman in White (Palace Theatre)

 

 
Claire Greenway: Fairy Fanciful

Claire is a highly skilled saxophone player. She trained at the Royal Academy of Music. Claire’s theatre credits include Ladybird and Aunt Sponge in James and The Giant Peach (BSC/Nikolai Foster) and Maureen in Spinach (Kings Head) She was in the original cast of Sister Act The Musical at the London Palladium and her TV and Film credits include Anna Karenina, Phoneshop and Little Crackers. 

Thomas Hassall: Domestos 

Thomas trained at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, graduating in July 2013. Credits whilst training included Otto in Spring Awakening, Peter in Blue Remembered Hills and the Bride-Groom in Blood Wedding. Thomas is also a highly skilled drummer and guitarist.

David Hewson: Harold the Herald

Since graduating from Rose Bruford in 2009, David has worked extensively as an Actor-Musician, Musical Director and composer. His recent MD work includes 'The Matchgirls' at Wilton's Muisc Hall, and 'Twisted Christmas' at the Liverpool Everyman. David will also be the Assistant Musical Director for Sleeping Beauty.

Paul Matania: King Candlestick Camelot

Paul trained at Rose Buford College and gained a BA (HONS) in Actor Musicianship. His professional credits include: Trevor in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Watermill Theatre); George Robey in The Hard Boiled Egg and The Wasp (Lion and Unicorn Theatre. As well as a performer, Paul is also a talented Musician, playing various instruments including Guitar, Double Bass, Drums and Ukulele.

Beth Peach-Robinson: Princess Susie

Born and bred in the West Midlands, 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. She is currently touring with the musical Carnaby Street. Beth is also a talented saxophone player!

 

Katia Sartini: Frederica

Katia is currently starring as Pheobe in the Carnaby Street musical UK tour. She also plays piano, saxophone, flute and piccolo. Her other theatre credits including Buddy the Musical (UK tour), Dancing Queen (UK tour) as well as performing as a lead singer in five seasons of The Good Ol’ Days at City Varieties in Leeds.

Andrew Williams: Dame Taffetta Trott 

Andrew is returning to Stafford for his third successive rock ‘n’ roll panto following his appearances as Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington and Dame Bessie Bigbreaths in Beauty in The Beast. Theatre includes the multimedia spectacle Chronicles Of Light (Winchester Cathedral), The Widower (Place Theatre, Bedford), The Decorator, Absent Friends and Gaslight (Sheringham Rep); A Christmas Carol (Kings Head Theatre) He is a superb trumpet player. His TV and film credits include Emmerdale and The Last King Of Scotland. Andrew can also be currently be seen in the AXA PPP commercial!

Sleeping Beauty wakes up and hits the road!

We have sent a Sleeping Beauty doll around the world for 
 an adventure in the run-up to this year’s Rock ’n’ Roll Panto. The doll will have its photo taken with Gatehouse fans, in remarkable or unexpected locations around the globe!


We are one of only five theatres in the country that offer a Rock ’n’ Roll pantomime. This year, internationally renowned theatre director Paulette Randall is giving the classic story of Sleeping Beauty a rocking makeover.

Randall was the associate director of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics and the first black British woman to direct a play in London’s West End. On this project, she will be working alongside a multitalented cast of actor musicians. The Sleeping Beauty Rock ’n’ Roll Panto can be seen at the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre between December 11, 2013 and January 11, 2014. 

To celebrate this year’s remarkable cast and director, Stafford Gatehouse is inviting theatre enthusiasts from around the world to meet and photograph themselves with the unique custom design, handmade, cuddly version of the fairy tale heroine.

If you would like to help The Stafford Gatehouse’s rock ’n’ roll heroine on her travels, please contact Emma Hogan by email on ehogan@staffordbc.gov.uk or by tweeting us on #staffordpanto. Keep checking back here and on our Facebook and Twitter pages for updates on the doll's adventures!

The Sleeping Beauty Rock ’n’ Roll Panto opens on December 11, 2013 and runs until January 11, 2014. If you would like to bring some extra cheer to your Christmas celebrations this year, tickets for the Panto can be booked by calling the box office on 01785 254653 or by visiting www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk.

COMPETITION TIME!

It's Flash Friday Competition time! We have a pair of tickets to give away to see Sleeping Beauty the Rock 'n' Roll panto!

We have 15 banners displayed in different venues across Stafford, the first person to email ehogan@staffordbc.gov.uk where they have seen all 4 characters in 4 different venues wins!

The four characters left to right are: 

Morgana (purple), Princess Susie (pink), Mordred (dark blue) and Fairy Fanciful (light blue)

 
 TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

The first person to email the correct answer will win 2 tickets to see Sleeping Beauty. Tickets valid for any Monday to Thursday performance subject to availability. Excludes Dec 24th, 26th and 31st. Please note tickets can not be exhanged against tickets already purchased.

Family fun this half term!

October half term is looming but Stafford Gatehouse has plenty of family friendly shows to entertain the little ones!

Sea Legs Puppet Theatre start the fun with their tenth anniversary show Little Bo Peep. The show is specially created for ages 2 – 7 and features magnificent puppets, fantastic scenery and plenty of music and opportunities to sing along to family favourite nursery rhymes.

Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and doesn't know where to find them. Her friend Little Boy Blue is doing his best to help find the woolly runaways but he keeps falling asleep. 

Meanwhile, The Nursery Rhyme Man is in his kitchen baking a surprise cake for Little Bo Peep’s birthday. As he works a naughty mouse keeps stealing the ingredients. 

Sea Legs Puppet Theatre was founded in 2001and their performances are truly magical and enchanting. The show is finished with a meet the puppets session, making the day even more exciting and inspiring for children. Little Bo Peep will be performed in the Gatehouse’s MET Studio on Monday 28^th October at 1.30pm and 3.30pm, and Tuesday 29^th October at 11.30am and 1.30pm. Tickets are just £7, with a great family ticket offer available at £24.

The nation’s favourite Postman will be visiting Stafford on October 31^st with the brand new show Postman Pat Live – It’s Showtime!

It's the day of the Greendale karaoke talent show and a top talent scout will be on the lookout for a rising star. Postman Pat has a new karaoke machine to deliver for the show – but when the machine breaks down it looks like the talent show might be in jeopardy. Can Pat save the day? Come and find out! With songs, laughs and audience participation, together with brand new scenery and costumes, Postman Pat Live is the must see show for 3-6 year olds this year! Tickets are only £12.50, with family tickets available from the box office for just £42.

You can watch the trailer for Little Bo Peep here

Book tickets for both shows here

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.