After a chaotic cabinet meeting and despite questions over transparency, Cannock Chase District Council has taken a decision that will likely lead to the bulldozing of Cannock's Prince of Wales Theatre. Cannock Chase District Council commissioned The Sport, Leisure and Culture Consultancy (SLC) to produce an independent evaluation of a proposal that was submitted by... Continue Reading →
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 & Director: Feargus Woods Dunlop The New Old Friends bring a different flavour to their festive fun in this year's production at the Lichfield Garrick with their comedy caper Christmas Present & Correct Set in a recording studio for a popular radio drama, siblings Dorothy Richards (Kirsty Cox) and Herbert Richards (Stuart Tavendale) have... 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 →
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 →
To mark Panto Day 2021 Staffordshire University has announced, in association with the Wilkes Academy of Performing Arts, they have launched the worlds first ever degree in Pantomime. The news comes with the backing of some of the the biggest names in the buisness. The masters degree, called The MA Contemporary Pantomime Practice, launches in September... Continue Reading →
Writer: Wink Taylor Director: Richard Cheshire Choreographer: Phillip Joel Produced by Red Entertainment, it was clear from the casting announcement the Stafford Gatehouse wanted to bring something special for Christmas this year. They lined up a company of well known faces from Kids TV and the West End, along with Mauren Nolan create the most... Continue Reading →
Theatres up and down the country are throwing back open their doors and it's no different at the Stafford Gatehouse. However, over the last few weeks while the doors were firmly closed due to Coronavirus restrictions, the Theatre has been at work overhauling its front of house areas which now boldly showcases its local homegrown... Continue Reading →
On the 1st April Crown Warf Theatre signed an agreement with Joule’s Brewery to transform a vacant space into a fully functioning, versatile 200 seater performance space For the last 12 months Crown Warf Theatre has been fundraising money through a sponsor a seat scheme and that work will now be stepped up so the... 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 