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

Dear Zoo

Dear Zoo the timeless children’s classic book returns to the stage!

See our characters write to the Zoo. Who will be delivered? A cheeky monkey, a jumpy frog and of course a perfect puppy.

Help your children learn as the book leaps onto the stage and share a magical experience as the story unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction.

Rod Campbell is the master of interactive storytelling and an expert in early learning for pre-schoolers. As a trusted household name, his books have stood the test of time and continue to be a staple addition to the family bookshelf and a popular choice for early years’ teachers. The creator of more than 200 books for children, Rod Campbell’s unique ability to be both fun and reassuring encourages children to discover and delight in the world around them.

Celebrating 35 years in 2027, the story of a child who writes to the zoo asking them to send a pet continues to delight each new generation of children as they lift the flaps in search of the perfect animal.

Join us at the Gatehouse to see what the zoo has sent: the perfect pet – in the end!

Find out more about Dear Zoo at www.dearzooandfriends.com/dear-zoo-live

‘A must-see for fans of the book, and for any young child who likes animals!’

★★★★★ Whatsgoodtodo.co.uk

‘A superb theatrical production’

★★★★★ My Theatre Mates

‘This show is the perfect running time and there’s no interval, so momentum isn’t lost. If you’re looking for a family trip to the theatre, this is one of the best.’

★★★★★ Entertainmentviews.co.uk

Help your children learn as the book leaps onto the stage and share a magical experience as the story unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction.

DEAR ZOO

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • The play is for children aged 1 years and upwards.
  • Rod Campbell’s well known children’s books with their simple, distinctive drawings and often repetitive text engage young children in learning to read and gaining confidence in their reading ability.

Running Time: 55 minutes. No interval.
Facebook: @DearZooLive
Twitter: @DearZooLive

Ministry of Science Live

Direct from London’s West End. Over the last few years Science has led the way in getting our lives back to normal. Now, the UK’s favourite science team are back and more explosive than ever!
Join our presenters as they dive deep into the world of science and look at how science shapes the modern world we live in with a few loud bangs along the way!
They’ll take an anarchic approach to science communication whilst looking at the scientists, engineers and inventors who have shaped the modern world that we live in whilst proving that each and everyone of you have the ability to change our world for the better!
Expect 20ft LIQUID NITROGEN clouds, exploding OXYGEN & HYDROGEN balloons, FIRE TORNADOS, HYDROGEN bottle rockets, ignited METHANE and even a self-built Hovercraft!

100% Educational. 200% Entertaining. 300% Explosive. 400% Fun.

Megaslam Wrestling 2026

The #1 Live Experience for Families returns to Stafford as Megaslam with its spectacular 2026 Live Tour!

Established in 2009, Megaslam present over 300 Live Events annually across the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and Isle of Man with audiences of over 250,000 going crazy for ’the show designed for kids’ each year.

In a 2 hour family entertainment extravaganza like no other, the larger than life characters of Team Nasty (boo!) will battle it out with the charismatic athletes of Team Megaslam (yay!) in a show designed to get the whole family on the edge of their seats and cheering on their favourites in this truly unique interactive live production!

Breathtaking matches are set to include: 1 vs 1 Challenge, Tag Team Spectacular, Megaslam Rumble and a special Main Event set to be announced on the day featuring the Megaslam Championship!

It will be lights, camera, action as the muscle bound stars of Megaslam enter the ring.

Grab your Megaslam foam finger, take your seat and enter a world of FUN as you witness the MAGIC of Megaslam and create spectacular family memories!

Robin Hood – Easter Pantomime

From the magical team who brought you last year’s smash-hit The Wizard of Oz, comes a brand new laugh-out-loud, egg-stravagant Easter adventure for the whole family!

Starring the Fabulous Fanny Galore as the glittering Spirit of Sherwood, alongside Easter panto favourites Ben Parsley (aka the ever-hilarious Silly Billy), Rob Stevens, Terry Burns and Katherine Hickmott – this all-star cast is ready to steal your hearts (and a few laughs too!).

Join Robin Hood and his band of Merry Folk as they outwit the wicked Sheriff of Rottingham, save the townsfolk, and help our hero win the hand of the fair Maid Marion – all in true panto style!

Packed with toe-tapping tunes, dazzling dance routines, side-splitting comedy and audience participation galore, Robin Hood is a feel-good family treat that’s guaranteed to hit the bullseye this Easter!

Book your tickets now – it’s going to be Sher-woodn’t-miss-it!

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.