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 →
Review: Romeo & Juliet at Stafford Castle
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 →
News: First Ever Degree In Panto Launched By Staffordshire University
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 →
Review: Snow White at the Stafford Gatehouse
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 →
Stafford Gatehouse Marks Reopening With A Bright And Bold Refurbishment
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 →
New 200 seater performance space takes a step closer to opening in Stone
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 →
Stafford Festival Shakespeare pushed back by another year
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 Show Goes On At The Lichfield Garrick as Jack and the Beanstalk announced as their 2020 bitesize panto.
Today it's been announced that the Lichfield Garrick pushes on with its 2020 Panto plans. While Peter Pan was originally penned to fly across the stage this year, it's announced the title will be changed to Jack and the Beanstalk to make the production financially viable. Sam Rabone is back this year in what's being... Continue Reading →
Review: Ghosts at The New Vic, Newcastle under Lyme
Adultery, religious rebellion and a secret love child: you can see why this is arguably Isben’s most controversial play. Years after Captain Alving died, his son Oswald returns home to see his mother in their family home just a day before a new orphanage is opened in his father’s memory. However, not is all what it seems. As the evening unfolds, secrets of the families past start to come back and haunt them.