HAMLET SETS NEW RECORD

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 33rd 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