A Midsummer Night’s Dream

June 23 - July 9

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It’s being called ‘one of THE great Stafford Shakespeare productions’ with audiences describing A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM as ‘the best ever’.

Now, with just a few show days left, don’t miss the chance to see the show people will be talking about for years.

Sponsored by Staffordshire University, Stafford’s annual Shakespeare production moves to the Gatehouse Theatre with this stunning version of the Bard’s best comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Set in 1930s Athens and featuring some of The Bard’s characters including Nick Bottom, Puck, Titania and Oberon, this visually spectacular play promises to be an immersive event from the minute you arrive at the Gatehouse.

Expect sights, sounds (and yes, smells) to heighten the senses before stepping into a midsummer dreamworld where nothing is really what it seems (or is it?).

Featuring a cast including Jonathan Hyde (Titanic, Jumanji), Kerry Ellis (Wicked, Les Miserables) and Milly Zero (EastEnders, The Foreigner), as well as supporting actors from the likes of Ted Lasso and The Crown, this promises to be the biggest show in the Gatehouse’s history.

Directed by Sean Turner (The Play That Goes Wrong), this epic – and hilarious – tale of egos, gods, idiots and, yes, an ass is one of Shakespeare’s most popular works and was last performed by Stafford Shakespeare at the town’s castle in 2013.

Five inter-connecting plots, fairies, nymphs, lovers and liars, sow the seeds of an enchanting tale that has thrilled audiences for centuries.

After all, the course of true love never did run smooth.

STAFFORD GATEHOUSE THEATRE is proud to announce the full cast for Shakespeare’s best-loved comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, June 23 – July 9.

More than 5,000 people applied for roles in the annual Stafford Shakespeare production, which will see the Eastgate Street theatre transformed into a mythical Greek playground.

As well as Titanic star Jonathan Hyde and the ‘first lady of the West End’ Kerry Ellis, are actors who have appeared in hit shows such as Ted Lasso and The Crown, as well as the hit play ‘To Kill A Mocking Bird’.

Olivier Award-nominated Dan Burton (White Christmas, Gypsy) will join in the role of Oberon. Will Taylor (The Play That Goes Wrong, The New Musketeers) will take on the loveable role of Puck.

Lucinda Freeburn joins as Peaseblossom and Sam Lightfoot-Loftus will take on the role of Cobweb, together with Kerry Ellis as Titania, to complete the fairy line-up or, in this case, the mythical Greek gods.

Joining Milly Zero (EastEnders, The Crown) as Hermia is Noa Nikita Bleeker (Ted Lasso) in the role of Helena and the male lovers are made up of Richard Logun (Birds and Bees) as Lysander and James Bradwell (Holby City, Murder They Hope) as Demetrius. The other Athenians are Toby Webster taking on Theseus and Oyin Orija (To Kill a Mockingbird) as Hippolyta.

Previously announced Jonathan Hyde (Titanic, Jumanji, The Mummy) will play Nick Bottom and joining him are the mechanicals Amy Revelle (The Time Machine, The Possibility of Colour) as Quince; Megan Marszal as Snug, Olivier Sublet as Flute, Elaine Hua Jones as Starveling and Daniel Copeland as Snout/Egeus.

The creative team for the production includes Sean Turner (Play That Goes Wrong, The New Musketeers) as the director. Chris Whittaker will provide the Choreography/movement.

Stamatis Seraphim is the composer, Jida Akil will design the costumes. Anna Phillips is the set designer whilst Barry Smith provides the lighting design and sound designer is Holly Khan.

Stafford Shakespeare Producer Mike Groves said: ‘I am very excited to have this cast on board.

‘Having a cast of 17 is no small feat in the current climate and the whole team has done well to achieve this. The Dream is hilarious and this cast reflects our ambition to thoroughly entertain.

‘Coupled with our contingent of actor-musos, this production is really going to sizzle.’

More than 2,000 tickets have already been sold for the production and Gatehouse Marketing Manager Keith Harrison said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to have such a strong cast, with huge West End, Broadway, TV and film experience.

‘The production itself will be an immersive experience with lots of surprises as soon as you step foot inside the theatre.

‘It’s not just another show at the Gatehouse, it’s a one-off and people will never have seen the theatre like this before.

‘Already, people in the industry are asking whether it will transfer to the West End, but there are no plans for that – it’s a case of see it in Stafford or miss out.’

Though they may be little, we bet they can be fierce!

So what better way for your little ones to take first steps into the magical world of theatre than this specially-produced partner project to A Midsummer Night’s Dream?

Enrol in the world’s most magical academy where children of all ages will learn how to become a fully-qualified magical being.

Join Narcissus and Pinewood, two of the most decorated fairy professors, as they take you through all the fairy dances and activities with the grand finale of a graduation ceremony where our fantastic ‘students’ will receive an honorary magical degree.

(And, of course, their fairy wings which they get to keep forever!).

With spectacular sound and vision, this enchanting event engages and captivates youngsters, bringing them under the spell of a story they will never forget.

Written by Mike Groves, who has previously worked on David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny UK Tour, as well as Horrible Histories’ Barmy Britain, it’s a relaxed and fun event where everyone joins in at their own pace.

Part of the renowned Stafford Shakespeare hub, The Fairy Academy is an associate production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which runs from June 23 – July 9.

It’s as magical as it is memorable and the memories will last forever.

Just like those fairy wings . . .

Please note: Children must be accompanied by an adult (£5.00). For further information, please contact the Box Office.

Suggested age group: 5-9yrs Book here