Features

Thursday, 17 April 2014

Star casting for Stafford Festival Shakespeare production of As You Like It!

We're getting very excited for this year's production of As You Like It at Stafford Castle, especially since announcing our first two performers.

Taking on the role of Jacques will be Only Fools and Horses legend John Challis. John is best

known for his portrayal of that national institution Boycie in the popular TV series. He also starred with TV wife 'Marlene' in their own series The Green Green Grass which had four highly succesful series on BBC1.

"I am delighted to have been offered the part of Jacques in As You Like It. I played Malvolio in Twelfth Night two years ago at Ludlow Casyle and he and Jacques are both melancholic characters, so I'm being type cast again!" commented Challis.

"How lucky I am to be playing at Stafford Castle, it's a backdrop to die for!" added Challis.

John Challis

For many years he has also enjoyed a successful career in theatre, film and radio as well as many other television appearances. Some of the high points inclide: Appearing in London and New York in Tom Stoppard's Dogg's Hamlet; Cahoot's Macbeth; the National Theatre productions of On the Razzle and The Rivals with Sir Michael Horden; a six part of Dr Who with Tom Baker called The Seeds of Doom, two BBC radio musicals recorded before a live audience; Guys and Dolls as Nathan Detroit; National tours of Entertaining Mr Sloane with Barbara Windsor and Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23rd Floor with Frank Finlay.

John has also been seen on television in My Family, The Last Of The Summer Wine, Doctors and Heartbeat.

"We are hugely excited about working with John, he is an incredibly accomplished television and stage actor. I know he will be ideal for the role with his perfect comic timing and unrivalled deadpan delivery" commented Producer Derrick Gask.

"It's shaping up to be a very, very special year" added Gask.

We're also thrilled to see the return of Eric Potts, who is returning to Stafford Castle to play Touchstone.

Eric Potts

It marks Eric's fifth year at Stafford Castle after performing in Twelfth Night (2009), The Merry Wives Of Windsor (2010), The Comedy Of Errors (2011) and a critically acclaimed performance as Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream last year.

"I really am looking forward to coming back! I enjoy being in Stafford very much and I have never played this character before" commented Potts.

"I know already from tradition the show will have great music and will be lots of fun" concluded Potts.

Eric is best known for playing Diggory Compton in Coronation Street and his exstensive theatre career includes playing Danny in Brassed Off, Major Wyndham-Pitts in A Little Local Difficulty, Al in April in Paris, Oliver Hardy in Laurel and Hardy and Mannie Bernard in Simply The Best. His other television credits include Last Of The Summer Wine, Doctor Who and Brookside.

As You Like It opens at Stafford Castle on Sunday 29th June and runs until Saturday 12th July.

Tickets are on sale now and start from just £11. You can book yours by calling 01785 254653 or by visiting www.staffordfestivalshakespeare.co.uk

Monday, 31 March 2014

Très Très Cabaret: Line Up Announced for April 12th

After two sell out shows in 2013 Très Très Cabaret returns on April 12th with another stellar line up!

The first performer to be announced was Velma Von Bon Bon. Velma's unique take on burlesque fuses comedy and glamour and she was voted in the top 20 UK Burlesque Performers 2013 by readers of 21st Century Burlesque Magazine. Velma's acts are as unique as her sweet self and guarantee to raise a smile and perhaps even the odd belly laugh.

Velma Von Bon Bon, photo by Neil Kendall

Added to the stellar line up is Kiki Lovechild, a multi-skilled British variety entertainer who has performed his unique routines around the United Kingdom and abroad. His routines draw upon his training and experience in a variety of skill-sets, including mime, physical theatre, puppetry, illusion, escapology and more. Kiki is probably best known on the UK cabaret circuit for introducing the world to Furlesque - his quirky puppet burlesque creations. These routines have made him a regular at high profile burlesque events, such as the London Burlesque Festival and the World Burlesque Games, where he achieved silver in the Triple Crown special talent category.

Kiki Lovechild, photo by Tigz Rice

Completing the line up is the stunning Emerald Fontaine. She is every inch the teasing, taunting burlesque dame with her ruby red lips and raven locks. Shaking her hips to the sultry sounds of rhythm and blues, she’s a rockabilly pin-up full of rebellion. Emerald also created the hugely successful ‘The Fox Presents’ in London with Fleur de Guerre; nights of fabulous live music and scorching burlesque, with Emerald acting as compere and performing too.

Emerald Fontaine

Très Très Cabaret will be at The MET Studio on Saturday 12^th April at 8pm and tickets are just £15. Early booking is advised as both nights sold out last year. Tickets can be booked by calling the box office on 01785 254653 or by visiting www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk. Tickets are also available to book for future performances of Très Très Cabaret on Saturday 18^th October and Saturday 27^th December (please note tickets for the December Christmas special are priced at £20)

Très Très Cabaret is strictly for over 18s only.

Wednesday, 5 February 2014

Youth Theatre take on brand new play

Group 6

Stafford Gatehouse Youth Theatre will be performing a brand new play at the MET Studio from Tuesday 11^th to Friday 14^th February as part of National Theatre Connections – a nationwide celebration of new plays for young people.

Connections is produced by the National Theatre and supported by a number of individuals, trusts and foundations.

Each year new plays are commissioned for and about young people from some of the best contemporary playwrights, for performance by schools and youth theatres all over the UK and Ireland, making Connections one of the world’s largest celebrations of youth theatre.

SGYT Group 6 will be performing Hearts by Luke Norris, which is set in the locker room of a struggling football team. Sacred Heart FC’s days are numbered, but they’re not going down without a fight. Harry spends the season trying to keep everyone together for one more year. But when the boys are more interested in ‘scoring’ than winning, and the girls are playing games of their own, what chance have they got? It’s a knockabout comedy about romance and the beautiful game.

"I'm hugely excited that Group 6 of SGYT are involved in the National Theatre Connections scheme. After the success we had last year with Group 8's involvement in the same project, I really wanted to offer this same opportunity to other members. It's a fantastic chance for young actors to be able to be the first person to play a particular role, and create a character for themselves” commented Director Richard Poynton.

“We also get to take the play to our Partner Theatre - The Lowry Theatre in Salford - as part of a regional Connections Festival in May. At the festival there will be performances by a number of youth companies, and this is another huge benefit to being involved in the project, as our members get to see the varied work of many different young performers which is extremely rewarding" concluded Poynton.

The performers in the group are also incredibly excited to perform characters their own age in this new play.

Jack and Erin

Jack Anthony, aged 15 who joined SGYT last year, described Hearts as “teenage life wrapped up in a locker room”, and says teenagers and adults can relate to the story of teenagers trying to “impress their friends and girls over football”.

Erin Higginson, aged 14 who has been with SGYT for 7 years added that they will also be the only group performing Hearts at the Regional Festival, describing the opportunity to perform in a larger venue as “really, really exciting”.

“We really hope to get big audiences in to The MET to see this brand new play as it is so different to anything we have performed before” concluded Erin.

Hearts runs at the MET Studio from Tuesday 11^th to Friday 14^th February at 7.30pm. Tickets are just £7 / £6 concessions and can be booked by calling the box office on 01785 254653 or by clicking here

Hearts is recommended for ages 14 over.

Thursday, 16 January 2014

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.

Friday, 10 January 2014

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

Wednesday, 8 January 2014

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...