Here comes the sun

~ Things to do in Staffordshire this summer ~

The landlocked county of Staffordshire offers much more than oatcakes, ceramics and the idyllic British countryside. Staffordshire is bursting with world class scenery, hugely popular attractions and award winning events. As summer draws closer, the team at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre has drawn up its list of the best things to see and do in Staffordshire during the season ahead.

#7 Live music at Trentham

Set against the picturesque lakeside scenery of Trentham Gardens, the Trentham Estate’s five-week run of outdoor summer concerts is bound to draw a crowd. Running every Saturday from June 15, through to August 27, Trentham is encouraging attendees to dance their way through the decades with a range of live tribute bands.

If live music isn’t your thing, don’t worry, the Trentham shopping village, garden centre and Monkey Forrest will still be open for the summer.

#6 Gin Jamborees

Britain’s gin scene has exploded over the past twelve months and Staffordshire hasn’t escaped unscathed. A Gin Jamboree provides gin enthusiasts with the perfect excuse to sample some of the newest, most exciting gins on the market – many of them provided by independent, artisan producers.

The ongoing Gin Jamborees are held all over Staffordshire, but you will have to be quick – some of the events have been known to sell out in a matter of days!

 

#5 Take on the Ironman triathlon

Following the success of the 2015 event, the Ironman 70.3 triathlon will be returning to Staffordshire’s Shugborough estate on June 12, 2016. Consisting of a 1.2-mile swim in Chasewater reservoir, a 56-mile bike course through the country and a concluding 13.1-mile run - this fierce challenge is not for the faint hearted.

If clambering through mud isn’t your thing, don’t worry, Staffordshire has plenty more in store.

#4 Summer of Vintage Festival

Showcasing an impressive mix of vintage clothing, collectables, homeware and eclectic antiques from the 1930s to 1970s, the Summer of Vintage Festival at Uttoxeter Racecourse is likely to attract a thrifty crowd of attendees.

Arranged by Staffordshire-based event company, The Vintage Suitcase, the award-winning fair will run at Uttoxeter Racecourse on the weekend of August 6-7.

#3 Summer School take to the stage

This year, the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre’s Summer School will be performing an all new British musical, Loserville, written by Elliot Davis and James Bourne. Aspiring young actors from the Staffordshire area, aged between seven and 21, will have battled for their place in this year’s performance. The highly-anticipated production will run towards the end of the summer, from August 10-13.

#2 The Great British Food Festival

Returning to the Shugborough Estate for its fourth consecutive year, the Great British Food Festival is slowly defining itself as a staple event in any food lover’s calendar. The festival includes a jam-packed schedule of live music, chef demonstrations, cookery classes and the hugely popular ‘man vs food’ challenges.

The family weekend will be returning to the estate on July 9 and 10. Attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.
 

#1 Stafford Festival Shakespeare

Featuring a brand new creative team, the Stafford Festival Shakespeare will return to Stafford Castle this summer for a debut performance of the dark tragedy, Othello. Performed against the stunning castle backdrop, with covered grandstand seating and delicious dining options, the festival promises to be an unforgettable experience.

The open-air event will run from Thursday, June 23, through to Saturday, July 9 and has been described as the theatre’s boldest production yet.

To book your tickets, go to www.staffordfestivalshakespeare.com or call Stafford Gatehouse box office on 01785 619080.

Top five favourite villains

 

Everyone loves a good hero, but no story is complete unless the villain makes us question who's side we're really on. In celebration of The Stafford Festival Shakespeare's latest instalment - Othello, Stafford Gatehouse has put together the definitive list of villains so tantalisingly evil, we secretly love them.
One of Shakespeare's most popular tragedies, Othello is well-known as a play that gives the most lines and stage time to the villain, Iago. In fact, this character is so evil that Disney decided to name the parrot in Aladdin after him. Similar to the annoying-voiced cartoon bird, you can't help but admire the lengths Iago goes to in fulfilling his Machiavellian aims. Here are five more villains we love to hate.

Professor Moriarty
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's brilliantly evil adversary for his equally magnificent protagonist, Sherlock Holmes, is a perfect example of a juicy villain. Described by Holmes himself as the 'Napoleon of crime', Moriarty was introduced primarily as a narrative device to kill off poor Sherlock.
However, in the recent BBC adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, Moriarty - played brilliantly by Andrew Scott - is a more traditional nemesis, a constant thorn in the side and perfect evil counterbalance.

The Joker
The Joker has popped up in thousands of storylines in the DC Comics universe and is best known for tormenting the masked hero, Batman. With a possibly tragic back-story - see the internet for heated debates - The Joker is the Dark Knight's antithesis in a way that is reminiscent of Sherlock and Moriarty.
Again, a modern adaptation of the character is probably now the most well-known. Heath Ledger's poignant performance as The Joker is both unnervingly psychotic and endearing. An impressive mix of emotions to inspire in an audience and also a perfect reason to make the list.

Dick Dastardly and Muttley
Owner of arguably the fastest car of all the Wacky Races competitors, Dastardly theoretically could have won every race along with his sniggering canine sidekick. However, the duo always decided to lay traps for the other racers - classic behaviour of an evil genius... and his dog. 
Failing to ever come first, Dastardly and Muttley have most probably had you shouting at the TV to get a move on and stop messing around with booby traps. Because no one wants the nauseating Peter Perfect to win really. 

The White Witch
Beautiful, regal and a big fan of winter, the White Witch in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe initially comes across as a likeable character in C. S. Lewis' novel. She offers Edmund a hot drink and Turkish delight in an effort to win him over, but it soon becomes apparent her motives aren't all above board.
The White Witch's merciless command over her army of creatures is chillingly impressive and makes the final battle all the more tense. A fitting enemy, the White Witch is the perfect antithesis for Aslan's pure goodness.

Scar 
You might not know this, but The Lion King is actually based on a Shakespearean play - Hamlet. In the Disney story, Scar (brilliantly voiced by Jeremy Irons) plays the cruel uncle who murders the hero's father and exiles the son. Extremely hard to side with him based on this information.
However, Irons' natural bassy drawl gives Scar an air of sophistication and you'll find yourself siding with him in his contempt for the quite frankly annoying Zazu. In fact, some would argue it would benefit the story greatly if he just ate the bird at the beginning of the story.

So there you have it, the top five villains that make stories great. If you want to see another irrepressible villain lighting up the stage, The Stafford Festival Shakespeare's Othello is running between June 23-July 9, 2016. For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk/en-GB/shows/othello/info.