"The show is one of the best you'll see anywhere" - More reviews for Sleeping Beauty!

We have been overwhelmed by the fantastic reviews we have had so far for Sleeping Beauty the Rock 'n' Roll panto! Here are some of the highlights and links to the full reviews:

The Sentinel praised Andrew William's performance as Dame Taffeta Trott, saying he "had the audience hanging on his every word from his first entrance". Beth Peach-Robinson and Greg Barrowman were also described as "brilliant actors with excellent singing voices". You can read the full review here.

The Stage loved our "gorgeously glittery set"  and said "there is an abundance of talent on stage". You can read the full review here.

The Birmingham Mail said Sleeping Beauty is "sure to get all the family up and dancing". You can read the full review here.

What's On Magazine gave the show 5 stars, describing it as "fresh and lively" and praised our "first class" cast of actor musicians. You can read the full review here.

Have you seen the show and want to tell us what you think? You can email your review to ehogan@staffordbc.gov.uk and it may even get posted on our blog! 

Sleeping Beauty the first review: "A flawless performance"

The Newsletter came to watch the first performance of Sleeping Beauty this morning and here is what they had to say:

"Stafford Gatehouse pantomime rocked into life today with the opening show of the festive season.
Classic tale Sleeping Beauty was staged with a rock and roll twist as the most talented group of actor musicians to grace the annual panto shook the house with storming versions of timeless hits driven by the powerhouse rhythms of drummer Tom Hassall.

Children from schools including St Andrew’s School and All Saints First School in Denstone roared their approval in time-honoured tradition of booing the baddies and shouting ‘he’s behind you’ in all the right places.

In his first panto in his own right, Greg Barrowman, the young performer who would love to play with Bruce Springsteen, proved he is no slouch himself as an axeman. He also provided the magic kiss to wake Princess Susie, played delightfully by Beth Peach Robinson, when she woke from her 100-year slumber to find herself in the swinging 1960s.

Noa Bodner gave a supreme performance as mean, moody and malevolent Morgana and cast a long shadow as she entered the auditorium to a chorus of boos from the kids.

Andrew Williams exploded onto the stage as Dame Taffeta Trott, coaxing and cajoling the kids and bringing howls of laughter from them by picking on their teacher throughout the show.

King Candlestick Camelot (Paul Matania) crowned a good day’s work with a right royal performance of James Brown’s Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag.

The production crew, with Derrick Gask at the helm, director Paulette Randall and writer Peter Rowe have done it again. A flawless performance from all concerned and the kids raised the roof at the final curtain.

Wakey wakey – go and see Sleeping Beauty. It’s a slick, heartwarming and energetic production which is as classy a show as you will see anywhere. Top notch."

-Review by Gail Atkinson.

A top review for Très Très Cabaret!

Très Très Cabaret

 The Cheadle and Tean Times came to see the show on Saturday 14th and here's what they had to say...

Très Très CabareTres Tres Cheeky at Opening of Refurbished MET

Très Très Cabaret

Très Très Cabaret

Très Très Cabaret

Très Très Cheeky at Opening of Refurbished MET

"The MET, the versatile studio space at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre had a terrific start for its opening show, following the grand refurbishment and new integral bar. Stage Door Johnny brought his burlesque/cabaret night to the theatre to be greeted with a rapturous response to the exotic dancing of Scarlett Daggers and Missy Malone with the highlight being the trapeze and innovative ping pong juggling ball act by Rod Laver and Alexandra Hofgartner – combining eroticism with comedy to great effect.

The whole amazing event was compered by Stage Door Johnny who has his own wonderful slant on comedy and songs, all along with hilarious audience participation. A tremendously enjoyable evening of adult entertainment. It is hoped Tres Tres Cabaret will be back for a Christmas special”

Review by Rick Lane.

More reviews for A Midsummer Night's Dream

This morning we have come in to find two more great reviews for the show from What To Do With The Kids and There Ought To Be Clowns.

Copyright Darren Thomas



What To Do With The  Kids described the show as "lively, engaging, fast-paced and all-round brilliant fun" whilst There Ought To Be Clowns highlighted the production's take on the Pyramus and Thisbe play by the Mechanicals; "one of the funnier treatments it has ever received", and praised the "vibrant and fun filled interpretation" of this Shakespeare classic.

What To Do With The Kids also describe the sun setting over the castle as "truly memorable and magical" To see the full review on their website click here, and check out the
review from There Ought To Be Clowns here.

The Newsletter review of A Midsummer Night's Dream: "brilliant brilliant brilliant"

Producer Derrick Gask strives to ensure there are no egos in his shows and this year’s cast has done him proud in the Bard’s classic tale of tangled relationships.



Copyright Darren Thomas



Surely the first name on the team sheet when casting for this classic Shakespeare comedy was Eric Potts in the role he has wanted all his career – Bottom. Now in his fourth Stafford Festival Shakespeare production it should be law that Potts comes to Stafford every year. He has the rare gift of being funny without even saying a word – quite simply a comedy legend. There is plenty of scope for Bottom’s character to eclipse all around him but the comedy maestro pitched it perfectly allowing others to shine.

And shine they did not least Georgina White – reminiscent of a young Susan George - whose Helena swung from maniacal paranoia to Frank Spencer-esque haplessness in a heartbeat. It was never so funny to see a woman lose her pride and her mind. Superb.

The interplay between the two love tangled couples Lysander (Craig Fletcher) and Hermia (Jennifer Greenwood) and Demetrius (Eamonn O’Dwyer) and Helena was effortless. Hard to believe they had only been together for a couple of weeks.

As for Bottom’s merry men of mirth Phylip Harries, a veteran of SFS shows, was a perfect foil for Potts. It is the third time the pair have appeared together at Stafford Castle – they were last seen together two years ago in The Comedy of Errors when they brought the house down and Gask, a shrewd producer reunited a partnership that is comedy gold. Their play for Theseus, the Duke of Athens, played imperiously by Robert Fitch, was absolutely side splitting.

Simone James made a majestic Hypolita and a tantalising Titania and Lanre Malaolu was delicious as he strutted cockily around spreading his mayhem among the lovers.



Copyright Darren Thomas



A sellout first night audience was treated to a flawless performance from everyone. There were some glorious harmonies devised by MD Greg Palmer and a simple and elegant dance routine put together by a Hollywood choreographer no less – Francesca Jaynes, who has worked on films including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sweeney Todd and Alice in Wonderland and is on her fifth SFS production.

Also in charge for the fifth time is director Peter Rowe. Gask has assembled a tight team who work like a well oiled machine and has scored another success with this show.

The annual Shakespeare at the castle is the highlight of Stafford’s artistic calendar and provides a quintessentially English experience. Add a picnic or a deli platter to die for from caterer’s from the town’s Swan Hotel and it’s a multi sensory treat that should not be missed.

Tickets are flying out of the box office and with good reason – A Midsummer Night’s Dream reeks of quality. Brilliant brilliant brilliant.

The Sentinel's review of A Midsummer Night's Dream: "a spectacular performance"

Set against the ruins of Stafford Castle, it was supposed to be the perfect backdrop for one of Shakespeare's most loved comedies. But as the grey skies loomed, it seemed more fitting for a performance of The Tempest than A Midsummer Night's Dream.

That said, the wet and slightly muddy cast pulled off a spectacular performance on the opening night of Stafford Festival Shakespeare.


Copyright Darren Thomas



The 23rd production by Stafford Gatehouse Theatre was brought to life by the same successful creative team as last year's Romeo and Juliet. This time, they made use of the up-lit castle as the perfect backdrop – leaving the windy paths up to the top of the mount in full view.

The production, which took a year to put together, threaded together the ludicrous nature of love with some of Shakespeare's best slapstick comedy – including a very well cast Eric Potts as the main comic relief of Bottom the weaver.

The former Coronation Street man had the audience onside almost from his first line.
His overbearing interpretation of Bottom, complete with a broad Lancashire accent, set the comic pace of the show while his quips about the drizzle only added to the merriment.

The plot of A Midsummer Night's Dream sees two worlds collide as meddling fairies use a love potion to trick two Athenean suitors into falling in love with the same unsuspecting maid.

Copyright Darren Thomas

The unlikely tangle of lovers Hermia, Lysander, Helena and Demetrius was played out to perfection on the raised meadow set, with both female leads impressing.

Director Peter Rowe has said: "A Midsummer Night's Dream is a beautiful play about illusion and reality and how close being in love is to being mad." This certainly rang true as Helena, played by Georgina White, clung to Lysander's leg and declared "make me your spaniel".

King of the fairies Oberon played a strong part dressed in a black cloak woven with poison ivy and a turquoise and blue tunic.



Copyright Darren Thomas



However, for me it was the mischievous Puck who outshone his fellow actors and actresses as he nimble-footed across the stage with the love potion. He was both captivating and convincing in the role and delivered a great soliloquy swathed in mist towards the end of the night. Spell-binding.

The Mirror's review of A Midsummer Night's Dream: "a truly memorable evening out"

Former Coronation Street star Eric Potts has gone from the heights of the nation's favourite soap right to the Bottom...and he's loving it!

Copyright Darren Thomas

In a far cry from the cobbles of Weatherfield, the actor who played baker Diggory Compton has become the star turn in a summer production of Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream.

And Potts himself is thrilled about the chance to play one of the Bard's most beloved characters, Nick Bottom, among a group of craftsmen, known as the Mechanicals.
As Potts says, "I've wanted to play this role since leaving drama college, but it's taken me 26 years to play it on stage!"

His performance is the focal point of the open-air Stafford Festival Shakespeare - now in its 23rd year and growing impressively in popularity - set in the grounds of Stafford Castle.
With appearances in Aladdin, Dick Whittington and Jack And The Beanstalk on his CV, it will come as little surprise to learn that Potts' Bottom ranges from the bombastic to the pantomimic. Indeed, it is fair to say that his Bottom is loud and explosive.

Although originally from Ayrshire, Potts delivers his character's lines in a Coronation Street "talk-as-I-find" accent, where subtlety gives way to direct blows on the funny bone. Or, why knock in a nail with a hammer, when you can use a JCB?

Set loosely in the Edwardian period, Bottom and his fellow Mechanicals - dressed aptly in ivory jackets and boaters - slowly get things started musically, as each plays a different instrument and they offer renditions of various Gilbert and Sullivan classics.

Indeed, director Peter Rowe relies heavily on a music hall-style interpretation and this "overture", which includes audience participation, serves to introduce the Mechanicals, as well as warm up the crowd.

Copyright Darren Thomas

As the "overture" ends, Theseus (Robert Fitch) and Hippolyta (Simone James), who double up later as Oberon and Titania respectively, begin a stately descent from the castle on the top of the steep hill to a set cleverly designed by Libby Watson.
 
She has seamlessly linked the verdant stage design to the natural grassy banks that skirt the castle approach, interspersing them with three strategically placed pavilions, one of which serves as a bandstand for the Mechanicals.

The actors all use head-attached, almost unobtrusive, microphones, which, for regular indoor theatre-goers can seem a little strange, but is understandable, bearing in mind the open-air performance can always fall victim to the vicissitudes of the English weather.

Chief among the main protagonists is Jennifer Greenwood, whose entirely engaging performance as Hermia is a real hit. Her woodland "battle" with Helena, played wittily, by Georgina White is, suitably, one of the highlights of the production.

Their lovers, Lysander (Craig Fletcher) and Demetrius (Eamonn O'Dwyer), acquit themselves with intelligent vigour and all the lovers have an acute sense of comedic timing.

As for the fairy Puck, Lanre Malaolu plays him with an intentional freneticism that is highly watchable.


Copyright Darren Thomas



But the Mechanicals, inevitably, are the ones who have the audience howling with laughter, with Potts in the lead, but closely followed by Quince (Phylip Harries) and Flute (James Haggie).

It's knockabout Shakespeare - not necessarily for the die-hard purist - but certainly, and most importantly, a lively way to introduce youngsters to the delights of the Bard and provide families with a truly memorable evening out.

Two airy marquees adjoining the purpose-built auditorium accommodate a bar and a restaurant. The latter, provided by one of the region's most respected hoteliers, The Lewis Partnership, serves first-class food at a very reasonable price and is the perfect "starter" before the main course of the theatrical experience.

As Potts, who is starring in his fourth year at the Stafford Festival Shakespeare says, "I love the atmosphere up on the hill and, weather permitting, you get a lovely evening with people coming up early for picnics and evening meals before seeing the show. It's a lovely family fun day with views over Staffordshire and a great piece of entertainment."

Or, as Bottom would say: "'Tis a sweet comedy."

First reviews for A Midsummer Night's Dream!

The show only opened last night (June 27th) and we have had fantastic reviews from The Express and Star and The Birmingham Mail.

Here's what they had to say:

The Express and Star:

"The setting was stunning, the atmosphere a frolic, and the summer? Distinctly British. But don't let that last misdemeanour put you off. Under bright moonlight and more than a dash of drizzle, A Midsummer Night's Dream brought roars of laughter to the normally tranquil setting of Stafford Castle.

Now in it's 23rd year, the Stafford Festival Shakespeare production has seen its popularity soar in recent years. And the fine Athenian cast lived up to the billing by delighting the sell-out crowd on opening night yesterday.

Without a doubt former Corrie star Eric Potts stole the show with his portrayal of the loveable oaf Bottom. His larger than life personality dominated the stage, provoking smiles and laugh out louds moments throughout. Flanked by Phylip, James Haggie, Anthony Hunt, and Paul Kissau as the calamitous collection of Thespians, the comedic collective brought the farce and magic of Monty Python to this classic.

There was a good pace to this performance, provided by fine flourishes of acting, interspersed with song and beautifully  played out prose. Eamonn O'Dwyer as Demetrius and Craig Fletcher as Lysander made for a solid sparring partnership, equally as did the talented Georgina White, Helena, and Jennifer Greenwood, Hermia. Pint-sized Lanre Malaolu  as the mischief maker Puck was another crowd favourite. The production was accessible, entertaining, and enjoyable."

The Birmingham Mail:

"As temperatures plunged and gloomy skies deposited persistently heavy drizzle, midsummer did indeed seem like a dream. But fans of the Bard who braved the elements to climb to the base of Stafford Castle for the opening night of the town’s annual open air Shakespeare production were rewarded with a comic treat that triumphed over the elements.

 The council-sponsored event, which has been a big draw for Midlanders since 1991, is one of the town’s cultural highlights of the year and has built up a reputation for putting a popularist spin on Shakespeare’s works to make them accessible to a wide audience.

 This year’s offering is no exception, thanks in no small part to Eric Potts. The roly-poly actor, best remembered for his role as baker Diggory Compton in Coronation Street, gives a masterclasss in comic delivery. His facial expressions, jokey asides and sheer mischievousness make his Bottom a joy to behold!

 Director Peter Rowe allows plenty of scope for comic buffoonery by giving the mechanicals’ musical playlet a somewhat enhanced role, with the playful Potts taking full advantage to steal the show.

 There are some stirring performances elsewhere, too, not least by Georgina White whose feisty rantings make her a particularly strong Helena.

 While the whole of the audience is undercover, the cast has to deal with whatever the heavens throw at them – and for several that means lying around on sodden fake grassy banks for long periods.

 But there’s definitely nothing sodden or soggy about this laughter-packed production. "

We'll continue to post more reviews as they come in!

More 5 Star reviews for Beauty and The Beast!

Fantastic reviews keep on pouring in for the Gatehouse's panto!

Beauty And The Beast Rock n Roll Panto at Stafford Gatehouse * * * * *

By Justine Halifax

"I defy anyone not to be standing up out of their seats and clapping their hands in the air by the time the curtain falls.

This is a fantastic family festive treat that will appeal to everyone.

It ticks all the classic panto boxes with cheesey jokes, a fabulous dame and sidekick, lots of audience participation and ample opportunities to shout back the usual pantomime lines like “he’s behind you”.

Add to that pyrotechnics, fireworks, a talented cast who act, dance, sing as well as being musicians performing all the tracks live against the backdrop of a great, glittering set"

The Times and Echo also had fantastic things to say about the show:

"For a really rocking pantomime experience this year, you should get on down tot he Gatehouse Theatre in Stafford to see Beauty and The Beast - the Rock 'n' Roll Panto that will rock your socks off.

The Gatehouse rocking panto format is now firmly estabilished following the massive success last year with Dick Whittington. This year is sure to repeat that success with the high energy pulsating performances from the multi talented cast of actors who can sing and play musical instruments. Known in the business as triple threats, this terrific company has the audience from the off as the classic story is played out to the accompaniment of over twenty classic rock 'n' roll songs...

Michael Fletcher is impressive as Prince Promising and the Beast and delights with a superb singing voice which really carries the part....

This is one Christmas treat not to be missed"