Savour the ‘Golden Age’ of dining at Stafford Festival Shakespeare

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre management have this week announced the catering options for Stafford Festival Shakespeare (SFS) 2017, with Sugnall Walled Gardens once again providing the hospitality at Stafford Castle, offering picnics, pre-performance dining and food on-demand.

This year’s production of The Tempest is set against the glamorous backdrop of the1930s – the golden age of luxury cruise liners, Hollywood glitz and the dying days of vaudeville – and the dining experience at Stafford Castle will hark back to this era of elegance.

For just £12.95 per person, visitors can sample the delights of ‘Sugnall High Tea’, with a pot of tea or coffee for one, a selection of daintily cut sandwiches, a homemade scone with fruit preserve and clotted cream, and a range of cakes ‘of the day’. All this includes reserved seating in the hospitality marque – and for those who fancy splashing out on a glass of something fizzy, why not upgrade to ‘Champagne Tea’ for only £18.95 per person? Due to demand, bookings for both options are only available via pre-order.

Also on the menu, the hugely popular ‘Picnic for Two’ makes its return for SFS 2017. Prepared daily at Sugnall Walled Garden and available by pre-order only for just £25, these mouth-watering picnic hampers include a pot of olives, Anglesey Sea-Salt crisps, freshly baked Artisan sub-roll and two portions of fresh butter, homemade quiche, freshly picked salad with dressing, salami and cooked meats, smoked salmon, mature cheddar and a pot of chutney; and for desert, a Pot of strawberries (ice cream available on-site), two slices of homemade cake, as well as two bottles of spring water and a large bottle of Sugnall apple juice. There is also the option to add a bottle of one of the award-winning red or white wines on sale at the bar.

Come rain or shine, an English Summer just isn’t the same without a strawberry or two, and this year Sugnall caterers are offering a plump pot of these delicious fruits – grown on-site in the beautiful walled garden – served with either vanilla ice cream or fresh cream, and a glass of prosecco, all for £8.95 per person. 

Finally, for those seeking a quick bite on the night, there will be a daily selection of fine, artisan sub-sandwiches, with a wide range of delicious homemade fillings available from the kiosk. These fine, soft sub-rolls are freshly baked and supplied by Eccleshall’s Artisan Bakery, and also available for pre-order before midday via 01785 851556.

Orders for the picnic bags, High-Tea and/or Strawberry’s and Cream at this year’s Stafford Festival Shakespeare can be placed by telephoning via http://www.staffordfestivalshakespeare.com/catering.html

The Tempest will open on Thursday 22nd June and run until Saturday 8th July 2017 at Stafford Castle. Tickets range from the first night saver price of £13.50 up to £25.50 for Thurs / Fri /Sat evening performances. Full information can be obtained from the box office on 01785 619080 or by visiting the new website www.staffordfestivalshakespeare.com

Spring return for Stafford’s only Cabaret and Burlesque Show

Back with a bang for the first time in 2017, Stafford's first, and only burlesque and variety show is set to return next month, with yet another evening of saucy decadence!

Since its launch in 2013, Très Très Cabaret has gone from strength to strength – performing numerous sell-out shows in the MET Studio at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre.

The first act to be announced for the forthcoming springtime show is the incredible, Good Ness Gracious! An award-winning, international burlesque artist who brings boundless fun and sparkle to the stage, this acclaimed performer has a range of hilarious acts and her cheekiness is bound to charm the pants off local audiences!

Winner of the Audience Choice Award at ‘The Neo Burlesque Awards – 2015’ and first runner up for ‘Burlesque Idol 2014′, her broad range of characters are set to leave the audience begging for more! From clown comedy to vintage starlet, Ness does it all with a twinkle in her eye and a tongue firmly in her cheek.






Très Très Cabaret has always prided itself on providing a “right royal knees up”, and the next act to be announced is certainly no exception to the rule… the finest of all royal males and king of the codpiece: Rusty Von Chrome!

An award-winning performer from Manchester, Rusty has been lighting up the burlesque scene with a wide spectrum of colourful characters – both delightfully dirty and refreshingly funny. Laughter (and slight confusion) guaranteed!












Next on the bill for the April show, Audacity Chutzpah hurtled with demure panache onto the burlesque circuit, and has been performing her unique brand of clown-burlesque on stages across the UK and Europe ever since!

Twice shortlisted for a London Cabaret Award for Best Burlesque Performer, Audacity Chutzpah has been described by ‘Time Out’ as "one of the funniest and most endearing performers on the burlesque scene". This girl is poignant and charming, seemingly innocent yet knowing, and always cheeky and surprising!







Missy Malone – a heady 1950s inspired bombshell – is also set to astound local audiences with her dazzlingly delightful act for Très Très Cabaret’s first 2017 show.
A highly accomplished and sought-after performer, Missy has been performing on the UK burlesque scene for over 13 years. More recently she has achieved international attention, including a tour with punk band The Damned as part of their ‘Twist Cabaret’ tour.

With the looks and grace of a Hollywood starlet coupled with her stunning costumes and stage presence, audiences are promised a scintillating show from Missy, and she never - but never - breaks her promises.





All of this incredible entertainment is personally selected by Très Très resident producer, promoter and performer: Stage Door Johnny

A flirtatious, lyrical lothario and seasoned comic raconteur with razor-sharp wit, he'll have audiences grinning, giggling and eating from the palm of his hand -sometimes literally. Johnny can be heard singing everything from Shirley Bassey to Guns ‘n’ Roses, as well as ridiculous self-penned medleys to surprise and delight!

Très Très Cabaret will be performed in The MET Studio at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre on Saturday 15th April at 8pm. Tickets are £15.50 and can be booked by calling the box office on 01785 619080 or by visiting www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk.

Early booking is advised as a sell-out is expected again.

The show is strictly for over 18s only.