Writer: William Shakespeare Director: Richard Cheshire It's been 17 years since Stafford Gatehouse produced Hamlet for it's Shakespeare Festival, this year starring local Benedict Shaw as the starring role. The Gatehouse Theatre has shaken up the annual production, not just producing its first trategy since Freedom Leisure moved the festival indoors, but also shines a... Continue Reading →
Writer: William Shakespeare Director: Sean Turner Musical Director: Stephen Hyde Set in a Cornish Harbour Town, the 32nd Shakespeare production in Stafford is Twelth Night. Complete with original music by folkband the Cornish Fishermen, there's certainly no doubting that if music be the food of love play on. Sean Turner moves the action to 1950s... Continue Reading →
Now entering it's 33rd Year, Stafford has been producing a Shakespeare production during the summer. It's venue in recent years has changed and this year again, Stafford Gatehouse will house the 2024 production Twelth Night. With only four weeks to go until opening night, let's roundup what we know so far: The Cast Headlining the... Continue Reading →
A report due to be discussed by Stafford Borough Council on the 7th December will ask the cabinet to A) Move the production to the Gatehouse for a second year running B) delegate responsibility for the productions venue to an unelected appointed 'Head of Welfare' This is a breaking news story with further news to... Continue Reading →
In 2023, the Stafford Gatehouse will produce what promises to be an immersive production of a Midsummer’s Night Dream. While not much of the production has been announced, it's being suggested two award winning household names will be staring in the production. More news on that early next year. The performance runs: June 23rd -... Continue Reading →
To Freedom Leisure and Stafford Borough Council, My fear with this decision to move Stafford Shakespeare to Stafford Gatehouse is that Freedom Leisure, approved by Cabinet is losing touch with the long term artistic ambition of the Gatehouse and is growing further away with its local community. It is clear both parties want Shakespeare in... Continue Reading →
30 years of history. Gone. Ended with a blink of an eye. Amid financial pressures, Freedom Leisure has forced Stafford Borough Council to accept that its Open Air Stafford Festival Shakespeare should be no more. Instead, replacing it with a Shakespeare production staged indoors at the Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford in 2023 with its future after... Continue Reading →
Writer: William Shakespeare Director: Tim Ford Produced by Stafford Gatehouse, its manager Tim Ford takes the reins of Director in this 30th Anniversary production. Under his leadership, Romeo and Juliet is a nod to its traditional setting of time and place. However, with hints of contemporary music and including themes that beat the test of... Continue Reading →
Did you know, during the summer month weekends, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s outdoor theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, The Dell, plays host to a range of lively productions that you can watch? Now in its 14th year, The Dell is situated on the banks of the River Avon in Avonbank Gardens, near Holy Trinity Church. The performances... Continue Reading →
Update: you can read my review of the 30th Anniversary production of Romeo + Juliet here 2020 was due to to be the golden anniversary of Stafford Festival Shakespeare, the renowned open air production set within the grounds of Stafford Castle. Instead, the 30th Anniversary production was pushed back originally to 2021 due to the... Continue Reading →
The Theatre Twittic 