<img src='' title='Event Category: Drama' alt='' id='templ_icon_' width='' height='' /> Event Category: Drama

Stafford Players Present The Picture of Dorian Gray

Stafford Players Present… The Picture of Dorian Gray
by Merlin Holland and John O’Connor based on the novel by Oscar Wilde
4-7 November 2026

A man who never ages. A portrait that reveals the truth.

In this striking adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray, Dorian Gray trades his soul for eternal youth, while his portrait bears the scars of his hidden life.

As he descends into a world of beauty, pleasure, and corruption, the cost of his wish becomes impossible to escape.

A dark and compelling tale of vanity, temptation, and the price of a perfect life.

 

Tell Me Where It Hurts

Following award-winning show FLUFF, Teepee Productions & Joe C Brown present Tell Me Where It Hurts.

This powerful comedy-drama follows Chrissy, a dedicated drama teacher navigating life with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). She is determined to stage the school play while also mentoring Annie, a talented yet troubled student who is auditioning for a prestigious performing arts school.

As both women wrestle with their own bodies and emotions, they find themselves facing a shared struggle… the feeling of being unheard and misunderstood by the world around them.

At the same time, Chrissy is grappling with tensions in her personal life, particularly with her partner, Nathan, who longs for a child, a desire that clashes with her own uncertainties. The play sheds light on the resilience required to manage women’s health issues in a world that often fails to recognise them.

Previous audience reactions:
“Gripped from start to finish”
“Everyone should see this”
“Relatable & truthful. Very human”

Supported by Arts Council England, The PMDD Project, The Old Town Hall & Evelyn Health.

Recommended for ages 14+       

Trigger warnings: Exploration of mental health, references to suicide and self-harm, some strong language.

 

The Three Musketeers

Prepare for a hilarious and uproarious family farce brought to you by Our Star Theatre Company. This theatrical re-telling of The Three Musketeers is packed with laughter, lively audience participation and plenty of energetically silly performances.

The story centres around a small troupe of performers gearing up for their highly anticipated debut performance of The Three Musketeers. However, as the curtains rise, all is not as it seems. What starts as a simple theatrical endeavour quickly unravels into a whirlwind of confusion, mayhem, and comical mishaps. From forgotten lines to chaotic set changes, the actors find themselves entangled in a series of laugh-out-loud blunders, much to the delight of the audience.

This delightfully entertaining production is brimming with wit, slapstick humour, and a dose of good-natured silliness that will keep you on the edge of your seat, laughing from start to finish.

 

 

Stafford Players Present Abigail’s Party

A Stafford Players production.
Mike Leigh’s classic comedy takes us to a suburban 1970s drinks party hosted by the ever-confident Beverly. As the evening unfolds, polite conversation slowly gives way to awkward moments and hilarious tension.
We’re delighted to introduce the cast for Abigail’s Party, opening 22 July.
Beverly – Clare Williams
Laurence – Chris Harding
Angela – Shaney Swift
Tony – Stuart Moyes
Susan – Rachel Chapman
Age guidance: 12+

Nerdy Prudes Must Die

Puzzles welcomes you back to Hatchetfield!

A normal town with high schools, coffee shops, abandoned houses and… ghosts?! When Peter Spankoffski gets beaten up for talking to the mayor’s daughter, this small group of nerds must be brave and stand up to their bully.

When the plan goes astray, this group of unlikely friends finds out that the past really can come back to haunt them!

Will Pete, Steph, Richie, Ruth and Grace be able to escape from the death grip of Max Jagerman or will they meet their tragic demise.

With original music by Jeff Blim, and book by Nick and Matt Lang, join Puzzles Productions for one more trip to Hatchetfield for this horror comedy musical!

Featuring new and returning cast to bring you this captivating story!

Hamlet: World Theatre Day

The Gatehouse Theatre proudly presents a free film showing of last year’s hugely-acclaimed HAMLET, to mark WORLD THEATRE DAY 2026.

The event is a first for the theatre, which has never screened a full Stafford Shakespeare production before.

It will be presented on a full HD cinema screen in the main auditorium as part of the global World Theatre Day celebration on Friday, March 27 (10.30am).

The Stafford Shakespeare production drew record audiences and widespread critical acclaim for its stunning retelling of The Bard’s most famous drama.

Tickets for the event are free.

A Brief Case of Crazy

AN AWARD-WINNING ROMANTIC PHYSICAL COMEDY FROM SKEDADDLE THEATRE & SHODDY THEATRE IN ASSOCIATION WITH YORK THEATRE ROYAL

Inspired by the timeless genius of Mr Bean, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, A Brief Case of Crazy is a heart-warming and hilarious physical comedy told through slick choreography, mime, clowning and puppetry.

Meet Thomas, an awkward, introverted office worker with a quiet crush on his equally shy colleague, Daisy.

His quest for love must contend with a boisterous boss named Simon and a rather bothersome briefcase that drags an awkward introvert into extraordinary events.

Will his quest for love fail? Or will he discover, it’s what’s on the inside that counts?

A Brief Case of Crazy is a silent love story with a very loud heart.

Running Time: 1 hour, no interval

Trailer :https://youtu.be/p4yWlkf0T6Q

QUOTES

“Excellent…A Brief Case of Crazy is an impeccably timed rom-com delight.” – Everything Theatre

“Definitely a company to watch…this is pure theatre” – Broadway World

“Completely electric…like witnessing an evolution of silent film humour into the 21st century, full of sharp timing, goofy charm and unexpected depth” – The Young(ish) Perspective

“Incredible skill in physical theatre and story-telling…an expertly performed piece of theatre” – The Theatre Reviewer

 

Stafford Players Presents Nell Gwynn

Don’t miss this fantastic STAFFORD PLAYERS production.

Among the bustle of Drury Lane, a spirited orange-seller catches the eye of actor Charles Hart – and soon the entire King’s Company.

Armed with nothing but her wit, warmth and fierce determination, Nell climbs from the pit to the stage, becoming one of the first – and most celebrated – female performers in Restoration England.

Her natural comic talent wins over audiences, but it’s her bold, irrepressible charm that captures the attention of King Charles II himself.

GROUP BOOKING OFFER: Buy nine tickets and the tenth person goes free.

The Invisible Man

The thought of invisibility, and the advantages it could bring to someone, has captured the imagination of millions since HG Wells’ classic story was first published. The Invisible Man has been adapted many times for film, but rarely for the stage.

This original, fast-paced and riotous adaptation boasts 15 characters, played by just three energetic actors, aided by quick and silly costume changes, prop manipulation, whacky imagination and tons of tongue-and-cheek fun!

This theatrical, comedic re-telling is brought to you by Our Star Theatre Company, after their hugely successful 2023 UK tour and critically acclaimed sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

 

Name a Seat

Here’s your chance to become part of the furniture at the Gatehouse for the next 10 years, with our new ‘Name a Seat’ programme.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for a loved one, mark a special moment, say thank you to a friend, or honour a fellow theatre lover, sponsoring a seat in the main auditorium is the perfect memento of happy hours spent at the Gatehouse down the years.

It might just be a memorable quote, or a tribute to your favourite act – the choice is yours.

Your support will make a big difference and help towards projects including our Gatehouse Youth Theatre groups, which give local youngsters their first taste of theatre, our Dementia Friendly Classic Film Afternoons, or our ongoing support for local community groups.

Simply choose what you’d like to say on your specially-engraved metal plaque and we’ll proudly display it on a seat of your choice for the next 10 years. The plaques are 76mm x 50mm Gilt Self Anodised aluminium plate, which can be engraved with up to four lines of text or a maximum of 75 characters.

Donations are £150 per seat (although you can add an extra amount if you wish).

You will also receive a downloadable Certificate of Thanks and a picture of the plaque in place (we will also happily arrange a visit to the theatre for you to grab your own photo).

So sponsor a seat today – and there’ll always be a part of you at the Gatehouse.

For further information, please contact the Box Office on 01785 619080.