Panto surprise!

To find out where our busy panto cast paid a surprise visit to click here !

Read all about it!

Our reviews page has an exciting new post - to find out about the first reviews for Beauty and The Beast click here

Beautiful and Beastly photos!

Head over to our photos page to check out some EXCLUSIVE pictures from Beauty and The Beast The Rock 'n' Roll panto!

Exciting times ahead...

Rehearsals have started for this year's rock n roll panto extravaganza. We are getting very excited for Christmas here at the Gatehouse, to read more about our fantastic pantomime cast, click here!

New Review

We have had a fantastic audience review sent in for Manchester Camerata's most recent performance at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre. To read what Harry Kilvington thought of the show click here

Competition time!

Find out how you could win the amazing prize of ten tickets to Beauty and the Beast for you and your work colleagues by clicking here

New interview!

Here at the Gatehouse we had a chat with James Hyland; writer, producer and performer of new show, Fagin's Last Hour. To find out about his award winning year and unique new show click here

What's New

Manchester Camerata will soon be serenading Stafford with the sound of a 1709 Stradivarius thanks to a generous loan by benefactor Jonathan Moulds, President of Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s European business. The instrument will be played by leader Giovanni Guzzo while on extended loan to the Manchester Camerata.

To find out more click here

What's New

This Summer 17 local young people from Stafford Gatehouse Youth Theatre represented the county town at the worlds largest arts festival, Edinburghs iconic festival fringe, performing the high energy music 13.

To find out more about 13 and how you can see the show in Stafford click here
To view exclusive pictures from the trip click here

What's New

Exclusive news on Stafford festival Shakespeare 2013!

To find out what next years production is set to be plus how you can save £5 on tickets simply click here

Latest 13 interview!

"Through play they can learn about the world"

We met with Richard Poynton, director of Stafford Gatehouse Youth Theatre's 13,  to discuss how Youth Theatre impacts young people and the challenges of taking a show to Edinburgh. To read the full interview click  here

New interview!

We have just posted our interview with the cast of 13. Stafford Gatehouse Youth Theatre will be touring the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the first time with this lively musical.

To find out about the show and read the full interview click here

What's New

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre's Summer School rehearsals have started and the building is already buzzing. Director Elizabeth Rose has returned to direct this year's show, Peter Pan. We met with Elizabeth to find out more about her work and to discuss the timeless magic of Peter Pan, to read the interview now click here.

Reviews and audience responses to Romeo and Juliet

Stafford Festival Shakespeare has received some fantastic reviews courtesy of Staffordshire Newsletter, Birmingham and Midlands Sunday Mercury and of course the loyal audience that have been filling the stands every night.

Staffordshire Newsletter described the show as "flawless" and "...surely the best outdoor Shakespeare production in the country "

Birmingham and Midlands Sunday Mercury commented "this production has plenty to delight"

Audience members have been equally enthusiastic, with Rowan Draper describing Dawyne Walcott and Poppy Drayton's performance as Romeo and Juliet as "so confident and competent that I would not have suspected that it was their first professional performances of their careers"

Nicola Hughes commented "I can't decide who was the best as every cast member was excellent"

Read the full Staffordshire Newsletter review here

Romeo and Juliet runs until July 14th at Stafford Castle.

To avoid missing out book your tickets here

Work experience review

Take a peek at our reviews page to read a review on Romeo and Juliet by Bethany Mee.

What's new

To find out more about interACT's latest community dance project, check out our features page

Latest SFS interview!

We met Anthony Webster to find out what it is like to be part of the supporting cast for Stafford Festival Shakespeare. To read his full interview click here

Whats New

Actor Dan de Cruz is very kindly producing a behind the scenes video diary over the next few weeks offering a unique insight into rehearsals for Romeo and Juliet.

To find out more and how you can get involved click here

First interview with Romeo and Juliet

We had a chat with the lovely Dwane Walcott and Poppy Drayton to discuss all things Shakespeare. To read the interview with Stafford Festival Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet click here

Whats New

Stafford Festival Shakespeare is pleased to announce that Television actress Leah Bracknell is the first confirmed name for this year’s production of Romeo and Juliet..... 

To find out more about Leah click here

Whats New

This summer, Stafford Festival Shakespeare will bring to life Shakespeare’s most famous play, Romeo and Juliet, under the magical cover of the stars and YOU could be centre stage!

To celebrate the fact that love is truly open air this year festival organisers are looking for Romeo’s (or forward Juliet’s) who would like to surprise their partners live on stage with the ultimate romantic gesture of love – a surprise wedding proposal....

To find out more click here

Have you seen the new Stafford Festival Shakespeare posters???

We don't know about you but this year is flying by and it is hard to believe May is nearly over. Stafford Festival Shakespeare is fast approaching and now we have our shiny new posters we are getting excited! Distribution of the posters has begun and our fab pop up banners are in Stafford Railway Station, Stafford Leisure Centre and many other venues. Sneak a peek and let us know your thoughts.

Keep checking our blog for an exclusive preview of the cast for Romeo and Juliet, with rehearsals due to begin in the next few weeks all will be revealed soon...

Stafford Festival Shakespeare Official Website

Whats New

Reform Theatre will be joining us in The MET on Tuesday 17 April with their production of Like a Virgin,  yesterday we caught up with actress Susan Mitchell during rehersals to see what they have in store for us. 

If you would like to review Like a Virgin for our blog please email bward@staffordbc.gov.uk to find out more.

Click here to read our interview with Susan.

Whats New

Last night Jack Dee entertained a full house with his dry witted comedy style, It was a brilliant night enjoyed by all and of course he signed our Green Room wall......

We're having a great season of comedy so far at the theatre and were chuffed when Jon Richardson signed our wall of fame. He's in good company with Lee Evans, Greg Davies, Alan Carr, Dave Gorman and many other top comedians who have signed our wall.

Over the next few months we hope to bring your more exclusive photos!

What's New

If you have seen a performance at the Gatehouse Theatre or MET Studio lately then why not let other people hear your thoughts by sending us a review.  Selected reviews will then be published on our blog. 

To find out more and to read our latest audience member review click here

What's New

As preparations for Stafford Festival Shakespeare are underway we recently met with Chris Lewis of The Lewis Partnership to talk about their plans for this years' catering at the event and the outstanding success of the Lewis company.

Read the interview here

What's New

As Spring finally arrives we are getting closer and closer to Stafford Festival Shakespeare. We had a chat with Peter Rowe, who will be directing Romeo and Juliet at the castle.

Click here to find out more

Whats New

If you have seen a performance at the Gatehouse Theatre or MET Studio lately then why not let other people hear your thoughts by sending us a review.  Selected reviews will then be published on our blog. 


To find out more and to read our first audience member review click here

What's new?

The Abbey Road Experience popped into the theatre last week ahead of their tribute show in March. We had a chat to the rockers as they rehersed at the MET Studio and we took some cheeky snaps too.

Read the interview

What's new?

Happy February Gatehouse followers.

Last night comedian Patrick Monahan brought his hug-filled tour to the MET studio for a very special Valentines Day performance. We had a chat with him to talk about his tour and his feelings towards winning ITV's Show Me The Funny.

Read the interview

Seeing as it's the month for romance why not book tickets for Romeo and Juliet at this years' Stafford Festival Shakespeare. The event will unfold amongst the sceneic backdrop of Stafford Castle with marquees to protect you from the unpredictable English weather and rustic platters for sale from The Stafford Dehli who will also be there. There are loads of super scrimping deals on so go and have a look!

Romeo & Juliet

What's new?

Happy New Year to you, 2012 is going to be an exciting year for The Gatehouse Theatre, we've got Chris Ramsey, Pete Firman, Patrick Monahan and plenty more big comedy names set to appear in the coming months.

We're currently working on Stafford Festival Shakespeare- one of Europe's largest open air Shakespeare productions, and this year it's Romeo & Juliet. Keep checking for exclusive interviews, photos and more.

In the mean time we've got a very special interview with comic Rob Halden, co-creator of hugely successful MET Studio show- Juice Comedy Night.

Read the interview