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BIG panto news . . . they’re back, back, BACK!

Panto favourites Mark Rhodes, David Phipps-Davis and Samantha Spragg will reunite for more fun and mischief in Sleeping Beauty this Christmas.

The Gatehouse is over the moon to announce the terrific trio will star in the fantastic family fun-fest from December 5 to January 4.

Double BAFTA award-winner Mark spent nearly two decades on CBBC as a host on Crackerjack, eight series of Sam & Mark’s Big Friday Wind-Up and the Saturday morning live show TMI to name but a few.

He’s back to play (wait for it) Hilarious Harry and says: “I’m absolutely delighted to be coming back to the Gatehouse with the wonderful Dave and Sam. We had such a fun time last year and I think this year will be even better. Here’s to the best Christmas Stafford and a wonderful panto experience!”

With more than thirty pantos under his belt (or corset in this case!) David has starred in shows including Oliver! and The Phantom of the Opera and as a director has also staged over fifty productions.

He returns as Nurse Nora Knickerbocker and adds: “I’m thrilled to be back in Stafford for my third panto season. Stafford has become almost a home from home and the audiences certainly make me feel at home with their warm welcome. I adore working at the Gatehouse, many of the team have now become firm friends, and the audiences are always up for a laugh, even when I massively veer from the script.

‘I’m also thrilled to be reunited with my ‘son’ Mark Rhodes, who valiantly attempts to steer me back onto the script despite the futility. Here’s to lots more anarchic fun, lots more dresses and maybe a little opera on the way, too!”

Completing the trio is fabulously fierce Samantha Spragg who, having delighted audiences last year as Poison Ivy, will once again bring the ‘boos’ as she casts a spell as the villainous Carabosse.

Produced by the renowned Imagine Theatre, Sleeping Beauty promises to deliver a spectacular mix of dazzling costumes, enchanting storytelling, and laugh-a-minute antics.

With plenty of audience interaction, catchy songs, and classic panto magic, this year’s production is set to be Staffordshire’s ultimate festive family treat.

When the wicked fairy’s evil curse causes the Princess to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into an enchanted sleep, can anyone rescue her from the magical slumber before it’s too late?

Make your dreams come true this Christmas with sensational family pantomime Sleeping Beauty!

BOOK HERE

HAMLET SETS NEW GATEHOUSE RECORD

This year’s Stafford Shakespeare production HAMLET has set a new Box Office record at the Gatehouse Theatre.

Average attendances were up 30 per cent on last year’s TWELFTH NIGHT and 16 per cent on A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM in 2023.

Around 4,500 people saw the production, which closed on Saturday after a run that left critics and audiences raving with delight.

Over the past week, more than 500 local schoolchildren came to two specially-staged performances, after which they took part in lively Q&A sessions with the cast.

Ticket revenue and programme sales also hit new highs and Marketing Manager Keith Harrison said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled with the success of HAMLET – it’s been incredible.

‘We began with record advance sales and you could sense a real buzz about the town once the run began. The reviews and audience reaction were unanimous and the cast have had so many standing ovations they’ve lost count.

‘It was also fantastic to have so many young people come to see HAMLET, which will really help their understanding of Shakespeare for their exams.’

The play, directed by Richard Cheshire of the University of Staffordshire and starring Stafford-born Benedict Shaw, was the 33^rd Stafford Shakespeare production, with the annual event stretching back to 1991.

It moved from Stafford Castle to the Gatehouse Theatre in 2023 for financial reasons and Keith added: ‘We’re grateful for the support of Stafford Borough Council and Freedom Leisure and our sponsors Stafford Grammar School, but most of all we’d like to thank so many people in Stafford and beyond who have come to see the show and enjoyed it so much.

‘There were also events at Stafford Library, St Mary’s Church and a host of other places around the town – it’s been absolutely fantastic to have such community involvement.

‘This will be the best attended and most financially successful Shakespeare production we’ve ever staged at the Gatehouse. Planning has already begun for 2026 and we look forward to adding another chapter to the Stafford Shakespeare story next year with RICHARD III.’

Stafford MP Leigh Ingham, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group for Theatre, called the production ‘brilliant’ and added: ‘Well done to all at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre for another fantastic production!’

Caption: Leigh Ingham MP with Stafford Shakespeare star BENEDICT SHAW

Coming to this year’s Stafford Shakespeare production? Pre-book one of our HAMLET food and drink packages and have a table reserved and waiting for you when you arrive.

There are two options:

A Cream Tea with ham, coronation chicken, cheese and tuna mayo sandwiches, plus a slice of cake and scone with jam and cream, served with tea or coffee. Just £15.00 per person.

Or why not treat yourself to a Prosecco Cream Tea, which includes all of the above, plus crisps and a glass of Prosecco for just £20.00 per person. Book via the Box Office on 01785 619080.

🚨 SAVE THE DATES! Our 2025 Summer School auditions will take place at the Gatehouse on Sunday, May 11, with the Summer School itself running from August 4 – 23. The perfect first step to getting on stage, making friends – and having whole lotta fun! 🤩

Our very first GATEHOUSE THEATRE PODCAST is available NOW. Listen on Spotify or watch on YouTube for the latest news, views, back-stage gossip and an interview with JACK AND THE BEANSTALK star Mark Rhodes.

Hosted by Marketing Manager Keith Harrison and Visitor Services guru Lou Broom, it’s a half-hour run through everything you ever wanted to know about the Gatehouse – and what’s coming up!

The Spotify link is here and if you want to watch it instead, visit our YouTube channel here to take a look.

If you have any Gatehouse questions for our dynamic duo, just drop them a line in the comments or via gatehouse.marketing@freedom-leisure.co.uk

The Gatehouse Theatre is proud to announce that next year’s Stafford Shakespeare production will be HAMLET – one of The Bard’s best-loved and most quotable plays.

Running from June 24 to July 5, the ghostly tale of murder and revenge includes some of the most famous lines in stage history, including ‘To be or not to be, that is the question’ and ‘To thine own self be true’ and ‘The lady protests too much, methinks’.

The 33^rd annual production will star Stafford actor BENEDICT SHAW, who recently appeared in the hit BBC drama BOAT STORY and Kay Mellor’s THE SYNDICATE, in the title role.

Benedict, who grew up in the Rowley Park area and attended Blessed William Howard High School, is a former member of the Gatehouse Youth Theatre.

He said: ‘I’m delighted to be making my Stafford Shakespeare debut at the Gatehouse. This is where it all began for me many years ago and it feels like things have come full circle to be back in my home town at a theatre that means so much to me.’

Benedict, has a host of stage and TV credits to his name, including earlier roles in EMMERDALE and HOLLYOAKS. ‘This is where I got the acting bug,’ he recalls of the Gatehouse, where he also took part in a Summer School production as a youngster. ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be playing Hamlet in my home town and can’t wait to get started.’

The production will be directed by award-winning RICHARD CHESHIRE, who has a long history with the Gatehouse and Stafford itself, and has been directing on both sides of the Atlantic since the 1980s.

Richard, who is a Senior Lecturer in Acting and Directing at Staffordshire University, said: ‘It’s a dream to have the opportunity to direct a Stafford Shakespeare production. I couldn’t be happier and I’m looking forward to working with the wonderful Gatehouse team to create something very special in 2025.’

Theatre Manager Gary Stevens said: ‘We’ve had two wonderful productions since moving Stafford Shakespeare to the Gatehouse and I’m sure that will continue with Richard at the helm next year.

‘One of the things we’ve been looking to do is to provide a platform for local talent and it doesn’t get much better than Benedict, who started out at the Gatehouse Youth Theatre and has now got a successful stage and TV career.

‘There will be one or two familiar Stafford Shakespeare faces in the cast, but we’ll also be showcasing some of the rising stars from within Staffordshire too.

‘When the Shakespeare project began back in 1991, there was a very large community involvement and we want to get back to that spirit of engagement within the town and the wider county – we’re putting the ‘Stafford’ back into Stafford Shakespeare.’

Gillian Pardesi, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Stafford Borough Council, said: ‘It is great to see a local actor coming home to take on the lead role in what is one of the Bard’s most popular plays. It is wonderful that Stafford Shakespeare at our Gatehouse Theatre is able to showcase local talent in this way and attract successful actors who have performed on the national stage across theatre and television. I’m sure Benedict’s presence next summer will provide inspiration for any aspiring young local thespian.

‘I am looking forward to next year’s production of Hamlet and hope that many thousands more will also be supporting Stafford Shakespeare.’

Further cast announcements will be made in due course, for the production at the theatre, which is managed by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Stafford Borough Council.

Tickets for the shows start from £10 and run to £34, with discounts for concessions and schools, and are available from the Gatehouse Box Office 01785 619080 or online here

CALL FOR TALENTED LOCAL YOUNGSTERS TO APPEAR IN JACK AND THE BEANSTALK AT THE GATEHOUSE THIS CHRISTMAS

As The Gatehouse gets ready to bring Jack and the Beanstalk to Stafford this festive season, a call has been put out for talented young dancers aged between 9-16 and in school years 4-11 to perform on stage in the Junior Ensemble alongside Mark Rhodes and Theo the Mouse and Wendy this Christmas.

The open auditions will be hosted on Sunday 15 September at The Gatehouse. The auditions will see the youngsters learn a routine and perform as a group to an audition panel. Any child of the right age regardless of their experience can attend to try out for the show.

Steve Boden, Managing Director of Imagine Theatre, the award-winning pantomime producer said:

‘Ahead of each pantomime season we host open auditions across the UK to find talented youngsters to join our professional cast on stage to bring the panto magic alive. As much as the participants dancing ability what we really look for is that ‘something’ that brings an extra bit of sparkle to the performance, so welcome people of any ability to come along and give it a go!

‘We remain one of the few UK wide panto producers who hold these open auditions as we firmly believe in offering youngsters from every background and with all levels of experience the chance to be part of pantomime and the opportunity to work in a professional company, maybe for the first time.

‘Many of the stars we work with tell us that performing in the Junior Ensemble in their local pantomimes was what sparked their love of theatre and led them in their career choices. We have also worked with some wonderful young people in our pantomimes and have seen many go on to do wonderful things in theatre and it is our aim to continue to nurture this talent every year.’

Please note the auditions are for dance and performance only. The children will not be asked to sing.

Registration will take place from 9.30am – 10am in the Gatehouse Theatre

Audition Day Information

• Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the auditions and designated waiting areas will be appointed.

• The Stafford Gatehouse and Imagine Theatre Ltd cannot be held responsible for any child not accompanied by a responsible adult while at the auditions.
• Children must be at least 9 years old and in year 4 of school on the first day of rehearsals and no older than 16 and in year 11 on the last day of the performances.

Audition Guidelines

• Please wear comfortable clothing and suitable shoes (ideally jazz, soft dance trainer or ballet shoes please. Heavy Dance trainers, outdoor trainers, boots or shoes are not suitable as we cannot see the child’s footwork properly in these styles of footwear.)
• Avoid shiny leotards if possible as the identification stickers tend to fall off these.
• Please tie long hair back, ideally in a bun.
• Make sure your child has a soft drink with them (not fizzy) and slow energy release foods such as pasta, chicken, yoghurts, bananas, jacket potato etc. for snacks and lunch.
• Should your child be asthmatic, have allergies or any other condition which may require medication, please ensure they have this with them. Please do let us know when registering the auditionee if you have any concerns.

How the audition day works

The children will be taught a dance routine on the day and do not need to prepare anything in advance.

The audition will be in two parts (NB – this may change dependent on the number of auditionees).

We will endeavour to give all auditionees a suitable break during the day. The plan is to give a one-hour lunch – the time will be determined on the day. If your child has been recalled please ensure that they are back in the venue by their designated recall time. There will be no singing or reading of scripts on the audition day unless you have been specifically told in advance regarding this.

• All children will be auditioned in the morning. Those who are successful will be recalled to the afternoon session. Those children who are unsuccessful will be allowed to go home.
• Children recalled for afternoon session will be kept until the final cast are announced unless you are advised otherwise on the day.

Those children chosen for the panto Junior Ensemble and their parents will be asked to stay after the audition sessions for a chat about licensing and panto guidelines.

What we are looking for

We are looking for three teams of eight members to perform in the show and additional reserve team members. The teams will rotate the performances between them but all teams will need to attend every rehearsal.

Throughout the day the audition panel will be looking for able performers who show capability in terms of dance as well as performance ability, enthusiasm and the ability to follow instructions.

If successful, what happens next?

Once we have decided upon our final Junior Ensemble, those that are remaining will be split into ‘main team’ and ‘reserve team’ members. They will then be given some paperwork stating which team they’re in.

To perform in the pantomime all children must be granted a performance licence. A performance licence is a legal document that all children should be granted through their local council.

• Imagine Theatre will email the application to parents which must be completed and returned by the deadline. Imagine Theatre will then submit the application to the relevant authority.
• Without a performance licence, a child will not be able to perform.

All children will be committed to rehearsals six days a week including weekend days and weekday evenings from Saturday 23rd November. There will also be some daytime rehearsals during w/c 2nd December (which does mean missing school). The show runs from 6th December 2024 – 5th January 2025 inclusive. There are 48 performances in the run, which will be split between the three teams. Your child MUST be available for the duration as no rehearsals or allocated performances can be missed. *

What is a reserve team member?

A reserve team member is effectively a standby for the main team.

• A reserve could be pulled into a main team any time between the audition day and the first technical rehearsal.

• A child may pull out of a main team for numerous reasons beyond anyone’s control or foreseeing in which case a reserve will be contacted.
• Reserves are NOT called to rehearse the show and will not perform unless a main team member withdraws completely from the show.

What impact will the pantomime have on school?

Some rehearsals and performances will be during school time and children must be educationally able to miss some schooling. The Head Teacher will be required to authorise the absences required for performances as part of the licence application. If the Head Teacher will not authorise the absences, your child will be unable to perform.

We look forward to seeing you and your child at 9.30am on Sunday 15th September 2024 and remind them to bring their best smile with them!

*Please note dates may alter up until the start of rehearsals.

All information subject to change.

ALL SET? PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM AND BRING IT WITH YOU ON THE DAY: Stafford Junior Ensemble application form

 

Calling all young performers! Do you love to dance? Do you love to perform? If so, come along to our open auditions to find young dancers for our gigantic family pantomime, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK at the Gatehouse on Sunday, September 15.

The auditions are open to all children aged 9-16 who are in school years 4-11 during the production.

Auditions start at 10am with registration at 9.30.

For more information visit Stafford Jack and the Beanstalk Junior Ensemble audition info sheet

And to apply just fill in this Stafford Junior Ensemble application form

 

 

Staffordshire University is raising the curtain on a new partnership with Stafford’s Gatehouse Theatre to give students opportunities to shine

We are delighted that the partnership has the potential to open doors for our students and graduates who are being given golden opportunities to see backstage and meet the cast, crews and directors of the theatre’s biggest productions.
Deborah Sanderson, Head of Development and Alumni Relations

Under the initiative, drama students will be guaranteed audition places for a part in the annual Stafford Shakespeare production of Twelfth Night: A Cornish Tale which takes place at the theatre between June 21 and July 7.

Twelfth Night: A Cornish Tale is directed by Sean Turner and features a star cast including Natalie Anderson from Netflix hit Fool Me Once, top comic Seann Walsh and BAFTA winner Molly Windsor (Three Girls – BBC One).

Meanwhile, students from other creative industry courses are being encouraged to work backstage or in technical roles supporting the Gatehouse Youth Theatre or the Summer School production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

There will be also be opportunities for students and graduates to get involved in the annual pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk which is directed by Staffordshire University senior lecturer Richard Cheshire.

Stafford Gatehouse Manager Gary Stevens said: “We are a diverse and inclusive community venue, offering a wide range of events and productions throughout the year; from reggae to rep theatre, ballet to Box Office smashes, Milkshake to Shakespeare and, of course, pop music to panto.

“We’re really excited at the prospect of working with Staffordshire University as a long-term partner and working with the students in a practical way to improve their skills and employability. Importantly, there’s the opportunity to make our shows, and possibly a career in theatre, more accessible by supporting our Youth Theatre and Summer School initiatives.”

In the past 12 months, the Gatehouse has a run of sell-out shows and big names including Tom Allen, Kate Mosse, Tracy Borman, Sarah Millican, Queenz, Brian Blessed, Marti Pellow and Ed Byrne.

Staffordshire University photography graduate Maddie Hughes has worked as in-house photographer for the venue since the second year of her degree course and has photographed all major productions, touring shows and celebrities including Tom Allen, Danny Baker and Brian Blessed.

She said: “I started working just for a bit of work experience, and then I was offered the job as the official in-house photographer. This opened up opportunities for me to be able to build my portfolio and shoot big names in big productions because I want to develop my career into film and TV and possibly bigger theatre productions as well. And it’s been a really beneficial opportunity for me to be able to have that stepping-stone into my future career.

“Starting here as a student, I’ve really been able to build my confidence working in this industry. It’s an industry that I never really knew existed for a subject like photography. And so it’s really been able to open my eyes to what students from creative subjects can go into.”

Head of Development and Alumni Relations Deborah Sanderson said: “This partnership runs much deeper than having our branding on the theatre’s production materials. Stafford Gatehouse is an excellent community asset which touches on the lives of many people and its values around accessibility very much align with our own.

“We are delighted that the partnership has the potential to open doors for our students and graduates who are being given golden opportunities to see backstage and meet the cast, crews and directors of the theatre’s biggest productions.”

Below: Staffordshire University alumni, Maddie Hughes