The Croc is ticking and Pan is on his way

Aspiring young thespians from Staffordshire will be heading to Neverland this summer with a sprinkling of fairy dust. 

May saw over 120 young people take part in an audition workshop day for just 80 places for the Stafford Gatehouse Summer School, which started on Monday 23 July 2012.

The group are working alongside professionals including director Elizabeth Rose; associate director Richard Poynton; musical director Michael Cotton; and choreographer, Verity Bray to produce a full-scale show, which will be performed at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre on the main stage.

In addition to rehearsing the show, the lucky youngsters are also taking part in workshops covering all they need to know about the theatrical world. 

This year’s Summer School will see the children work towards a production of the children’s classic Peter Pan, which will be performed from Wednesday 8 – Saturday 11 August 2012.  

Join Wendy, John and Michael Darling as they are whisked away by Peter Pan to the exciting and magical world of Neverland. 

Filled with Pirates, Mermaids and fairies, Neverland is the place where children need never grow up.  But as the Darling children begin to enjoy their new home, disaster strikes as Captain Hook comes out to play.  Will Peter and Tinkerbell be able to save Wendy and her brothers from the clutches of Hook and free Neverland of the evil villain?

This family friendly show will provide a magical and enchanting afternoon or evening treat for children during their summer holidays and offers a unique opportunity for children to see other children performing.

Tickets cost £9.50 or £8.50 for concessions for the 7.30pm shows and £8.00 and £7.00 for concessions for the 2.30pm matinees on (no matinee on Friday 10^th August).

Tickets for Peter Pan are available from Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Box Office on 01785 254 653 or online by clicking here

interACT Community Dance Project

A group of 15 young adults aged between 16 and 30 from the Stafford area have been working hard over the last 12 weeks as part of the interACT Community Drama Project and created a performance called ‘They can work it out’, which will be presented at the Gatehouse theatre’s MET Studio on Tuesday 17 July.  This performance is being specially presented to the performer's friends and family.

During weekly sessions, the participants have chosen areas that are important in their lives and used drama, improvisation and writing to create a story about young people getting into work, with a hint of ‘Romeo and Juliet’. 

The project has been led by Drama facilitator Frank Conlan, supported by 7 volunteers and has been run in partnership with Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Staffordshire County Council and many other organisations in the town. 

Project Leader Frank Conlan is a drama practitioner, former Community Outreach Worker in Stafford, and has more than 10 years experience of working with people with learning disabilities, mental health issues as well as the homeless and unemployed.

Frank explained “At the start of 2012, I undertook research into the availability of community drama activities for vulnerable groups in the Stafford area, by running some drama workshops with potential participants and by interviewing key staff in statutory and voluntary organisations, which work with vulnerable groups.” 

Frank continued “The research identified that there is a great deal of interest and support for this type of work, and Derrick Gask, Artistic Programme Manager at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, was particularly keen to support this initiative in order to further develop the theatre’s link with the local community. As a result, it was agreed to run a pilot project in partnership with Stafford Gatehouse Theatre.”

Following the results 15 participants were recruited to the project, mainly young adults with learning disabilities, who attend Walton Hall Youth Club, organised by Staffordshire Young People’s Service, in addition to other unemployed young adults.

Sessions have been held every Monday morning over the past 12 weeks at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre and the group members have taken part in a programme of drama workshops involving icebreakers, games, discussions, activities, role plays, improvisation and mime.

The sessions focus on having fun whilst working hard and the participants have worked together to create the content of the final performance.

From Dales to Castle

Stafford Festival Shakespeare is pleased to announce that Television actress Leah Bracknell is the first confirmed name for this year’s production of Romeo and Juliet.

Best known for character Zoë Tate in Emmerdale, who was the lesbian sister to Chris Tate and daughter of Frank Tate. Leah joined the soap in 1989 and remained an integral role until her departure in 2005.  During her time in the Dales Leah was nominated for Most Popular Actress in the 8^th National Television Awards and Best Exit in The British Soap Awards.

Since leaving the soap Leah has taken on roles in BBC’s Doctors, Judge John Deed, Casualty, A Touch of Frost and The Royal Today.  Passionate about Yoga Leah has also produced two best selling Yoga DVD’s.

Leah has performed in various stage productions including numerous pantomimes throughout the country such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Jack and the Beanstalk.  Other stage appearances include Strangers on a Train and Gaslight in 2006 and The Turn of the Screw in 2008.

2012 will see Leah take on the role of Lady Capulet in Peter Rowe’s production of Romeo and Juliet at Stafford Castle.

To find out more about Stafford Festival Shakespeare and to book your tickets click here

Love Is Open Air



Romeo and Juliet 2005



"Festival Seeks Ultimate Romantics For

Secret Wedding Proposals "

To celebrate the fact that love is truly open air this year Stafford festival Shakespeare organisers are looking for Romeo’s (or forward Juliet’s) who would like to surprise their partners live on stage with the ultimate romantic gesture of love – a surprise wedding proposal, in costume, amongst the cast, in front of an audience, under the stars and to an unsuspecting lover!

Festival Producer Derrick Gask commented ‘The festival has always been extremely well supported across the region and we thought this was an excellent way of giving something back by offering four couples the perfect romantic gesture in a truly once in a life time memorable way’.

Those interested in making the ultimate romantic gesture should email their name, their partners name, their telephone number and the reason why they would like to surprise their unsuspecting Juliet (or Romeo) with a wonderfully romantic proposal, to bward@staffordbc.gov.uk by Friday 8 June 2012.

Those selected will be informed by phone no later than June 14^th 2012 and will be assisted to find a costume and plan to ensure the evening hopefully ends with rapturous applause and tears of happiness.

Stafford Festival Shakespeare is one of Europe’s largest open air Shakespeare Festivals and has enjoyed 21 years of success welcoming audiences from across the world.

This year’s performances taking place between Thursday 28 June and Saturday 14 July 2012 are set in a lawless South America where infectious rhythms of the street inflame violent passions as the two young lovers are bought together. 

To find out more about this years production and to book your tickets click here

The Food of Love

“Stafford Festival Shakespeare is the perfect environment to enjoy a summer's day”

 

 Stafford Festival Shakespeare is thrilled to announce the return of The Lewis Partnership who will be catering for Stafford Festival Shakespeare for the fourth year running.

 The partnership is managed by Stafford born and bred entrepreneur, Chris Lewis.

 “We’re over the moon about doing the catering, as a company we’re very excited to be in our fourth year with the event. Year one and two built the foundations for us but this year is going to be slightly different in that it’s the cultural Olympiad and the queen’s jubilee so this is the year for parties”, says Chris.

A team of talented chefs from The Swan and The Moat House have created a menu fit for a king (or queen) featuring a variety of food from the rustic and traditional to the vibrant and cultural, available as a delicious three-course dinner or as a choice of four picnic platters.

 “We’re learning year on year what the customers want and the experience they’re looking for”, explains Chris.

“As a company we’ve got a reputation with The Moat House for wedding receptions and so this works well with Romeo & Juliet as it is the most romantic of all the Shakespeare’s.”

The menu embraces locally sourced produce featuring mouth-watering medallions of Staffordshire reared fillet of beef to delicious Staffordshire honey roasted ham.

“All our food is sourced locally with local suppliers and so our partnership with our local suppliers is used at the festival”, Chris continues.

 

There is also a fin-tastic array of seafood including sesame and lime marinated salmon, ravioli of scallop with watercress and line caught sea bass.

 Vegetarians are fully catered for too and can enjoy food such as a creamy goats' cheese panna cotta, a vegetable risotto and Stilton and red onion marmalade tartlet.

Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy a variety of desserts including Canal side Farm fresh strawberry tart and Morella cherry torte.

 “We’re also having a Romeo and Juliet beer, one will be dark and one light with the pump made to look as if Juliet is calling out to Romeo from her balcony”, adds Chris.

The spectacular array of gourmet food will be served in a luxury marquee with those opting for platters given the choice of a picnic in the spectacular grounds or under cover in the bar area.

The Lewis Partnership runs several hugely successful eateries and hotels in Staffordshire and is synonymous with luxury dining and first class hospitality.

Their impressive portfolio includes The Moat House, The Swan, The Dog and Doublet Inn and The Bear Grill.

The Lewis Partnership began by pulling pints at The Moat House pub and has since expanded in size.

Chris says: “The company was formed in 1988 from a farming family, we diversified from farming and started with The Moat House, originally just a pub and restaurant and then we expanded to include a hotel.”

He adds: “Our roots in agriculture and supporting all the local farmers inspired us to become involved in food and hospitality. Our visions have always been excellence in hospitality in a family-run business.”

The partnership is renowned for buying; refurbishing and modernising tired businesses, creating not only profitable companies but also animated focal points for the community.

The company have won several awards for their hard work explains Chris: “We’ve won awards from The Taste Of Staffordshire, brassiere of the year, restaurant of the year at The Moat House, and AA rosettes at the Moat House and The Swan. We also won best traditional bar at The Dog and Doublet in 2011.” 

  

Their establishments have seen their fair share of celebrities, playing host to TinieTempah, The Cheeky Girls, Pam St Clement (Pat Butcher -Eastenders), Jools Holland, David Gest, David Walliams, Neil Morrissey and Ed Clancy to name but a few.

The Lewis Partnership is passionate about live events and runs The Swan Live, which showcases the best in local music.

“When we started using Swan Live we were using an external agency with bands from out of town and now it has changed and all our bands are sourced from Eric at Guitar and Sons and now over 70% of all our bands are local talent.”

Stafford Festival Shakespeare is now in it’s 22^nd year and organisers are proud to be working with such a reputable company to help deliver the culturally important event. The festival attracts audiences from all over the country and is recognised as one of the biggest open air Shakespeare events in Europe.

Chris says: “Stafford Festival Shakespeare is the perfect environment to enjoy a summers day.”

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Romeo and Juliet will commence on Thursday 28 June and run until Saturday 14 July 2012.  Ticket prices start at just £10.00 for the first night and Monday evening performances, with tickets for other evenings starting from just £17.50.

To purchase tickets simply call our friendly box office team on 01785 254653 or visit the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Website on www.staffordfestivalshakespeare.co.uk. 

Stafford Festival Shakespeare Official

The Lewis Partnership

Peter Rowe: writer, director and Stafford Festival favourite!

Peter Rowe is the Artistic Director of the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich and a prolific writer. He has written seven record breaking Christmas shows including Dick Whittington, the rock ‘n’ roll panto which was a recent hit for the Gatehouse Theatre.  As a director his productions have included Sweeney Todd, Perfect Days, Double Indemnity, A Family Affair, A Mad World, My Masters and Leader of the Pack.

After training at the Thorndike Theatre, Peter became the Artistic Director for the Southampton-based Solent People's Theatre, then Artistic Director for the London Bubble Theatre Company, touring London in a big top tent.  He has held two other Artistic Directorships at the Chester Gateway Theatre and the Liverpool Everyman Theatre.

For the last three years he has directed Stafford Festival Shakespeare and will be returning again to direct Romeo and Juliet.  We had an exclusive interview to find out what it is about the festival that keeps Peter coming back and his love of rock ‘n’ roll pantomimes…

“There’s a sense of celebration that I really like about Stafford Festival Shakespeare”

-       -This year will be the fourth time Peter Rowe has directed Stafford Festival Shakespeare. He describes it as “a pleasant job for everybody, as people come up with their picnic  baskets to have a good time” .  When asked about early ideas for the show, Peter revealed it will be set in South America in an era that will reflect some of the key themes of the play; passion, corruption, religion and family loyalty. A regular feature of the Stafford Festival Shakespeare is the use of dancers and musicians, with Peter adding “that sense of passion will feed into the music”.  The castle setting has become as much an important part of the festival as the plays, and this is something that has drawn Peter back to the festival over the years.

“There’s something magical when the sun goes down at the castle”

-As the first tragedy Peter has directed for Stafford Festival Shakespeare, the setting couldn’t be more perfect. Peter recalls his first time at the festival, directing Twelfth Night in 2009. “It’s quite a bittersweet play really, there’s lots about Twelfth Night that’s funny but it turns sour and dark in the second half. When the sun goes down at the castle it’s usually in the interval, so in the second half the light begins to go, stage lights begin to register and the atmosphere closes in, which I think will really suit Romeo and Juliet ”. 

“Romeo and Juliet is a young play, by a young playwright about young people so it should move very fast”

-Romeo and Juliet is such an iconic play that some may feel intimidated when staging it. Peter embraces the challenge, saying   “often you’re approaching it with a group of actors who probably haven’t done it before so you’re all discovering your own way of telling the story and playing the parts. Obviously there’s a lot of interpretation and history that hangs over it but as long as we make it fresh for ourselves and understand the dynamics of the relationships ourselves it will come alive for the audience”. This desire to keep each production fresh and unique is  largely responsible for the festival maintaining a loyal following for many years.

“I think people have a need to gather together and witness something communally”

-This year Stafford Festival Shakespeare falls between two key events; the Queen’s Jubilee and The Olympics. When asked his opinion of the impact these events could have for theatres Peter comments “there’s a debate in London at the moment about whether the Olympics means theatres may as well shut up shop or whether they will get business from customers coming to the Olympics and looking for things to do in the evening. I don’t think anybody really knows”. He adds “That sense of celebration in my view helps the habit of people going out to be entertained and take part in a communal event. I think in Stafford there is a strong, loyal following for Stafford Festival Shakespeare”.

“Shakespeare is a constant source of inspiration”

-As a writer, Peter describes how the rhythm of Shakespeare’s verses “seep into you”. His passion for Shakespeare’s work is reinforced when he states that Shakespeare “is very much part of our literary heritage and I think it’s really important when the plays are performed they’re not treated as museum pieces but as thrilling plays in their own right.”  When writing his rock n roll pantomimes, he describes how Shakespeare’s rhythms even influence characters such as the fairy narrating the story. Peter has written seven rock n roll pantos, including Dick Whittington which was a huge hit for the Gatehouse this Christmas.

“Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto gives the Gatehouse a unique style of pantomime...It’ll be great if the theatre can gain a reputation for that style of show”

- After watching Dick Whittington at the Gatehouse Peter said “It’s a great treat for me to see those shows working so well for their audience. Seeing a group of people having a fantastic time and going out with smiles on their faces and the buzz that comes from being part of a really great event like that is very special.  I’m very proud of being  partly responsible for some of that”. He’s been directing the rock ‘n’ roll pantomimes at Theatre Clwyd Cymru for fifteen years as well as co-directing the shows at The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich. He describes it as “a fantastic formula- that mix of the best bits of panto and the excitement of the live music. It’s proved to be a winning combination in lots of different places”.   

“As a director I like to mix it up as much as I can”

     - When asked about his future as a writer and director, Peter clearly has the desire to stay fresh and challenged. His new show 20^th Century Boy, a musical about Marc Bolan, opened at The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich last year and is due to open at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry in September  after it’s sell out success. Still writing new material, Peter says “we’re currently talking about what shows we will do here in the autumn at the New Wolsey in Ipswich, and it’s likely to be a new play”. He added “the mix of classical work, musical work, straight plays and new work is what keeps it exciting and challenging for me. I still very much enjoy directing and being in rehearsals with a group of new actors and I’m happy for that to continue!”

Romeo and Juliet will commence on Thursday 28 June and run until Saturday 14 July 2012. Ticket prices start at just £10.00 for the first night and Monday evening performances, with tickets for other evenings starting from just £17.50. Performed under the stars with all weather grandstand seating it is the perfect summer night out.


Book Tickets

Comedy of Errors 2011

Comedy of Errors 2011

                                                                             

Merry Wives of Windsor 2010

Twelfth Night 2009