A Taste of Italy for Shakespeare Festival

As preparations build for our Stafford Festival Shakespeare production of Othello, we are very excited to announce that Sugnall Walled Gardens will be returning to Stafford Castle with some delicious dining options, including picnics, pre-performance dining and on demand catering.

The picnics for two were a big hit last year, filled with mouth-watering fresh food and drinks, including freshly baked sourdough bread, olives, home-made quiche and cakes, with ingredients fresh from Sugnall’s very own walled gardens, all in a keepsake bag. The picnic bags are available for pre-order only, priced at £25.

On Friday and Saturday evenings (excluding Friday 24th June) you can treat yourself to a sit down meal in the hospitality marquee. For £34.95 per person, the team at Sugnall Walled Gardens will provide a delicious three course meal with tea, coffee and biscotti to finish. With Tuscan chicken, pea risotto and tiramisu being just a few of the courses on offer there will be something to excite all tastes.

Those after a quick bite to eat can grab some tempting treats from Becky’s barbecue gourmet grill. Baroness Becky will also be taking pre-orders for the interval too for those who feel peckish later on.

Orders for the picnic bags and pre-performance dining can be placed by visiting www.awwines.co.uk

The catering will be available for the entire run of Othello (pre-performance dining Friday and Saturday evenings only) from Thursday 23rd June to Saturday 9th July at Stafford Castle.

Tickets for Othello start from £13 and can be booked by visiting www.staffordfestivalshakespeare.com or by calling the box office on 01785 619080.

MET Comedy suggested line up 25.3.16

We’re kicking off Easter weekend with another sold out comedy night in the MET Studio! We’ve just had the suggested* line-up through, and if you were lucky enough to snap up a ticket you are in for a treat.

Elliot Steel

Following impressive performances and wowing audiences at The Latitude, V and Reading festivals in 2013, Elliot Steel is the new must-see comic name to watch out for.
Elliot regales confidence and a stage presence behind his years. his hilarious and honest routines are gritty real-life tales of growing up on a South London council estate – all delivered in his refreshingly individual style.

Catch him now before the stadium tour.

Andy White

Andy White is an energetic, confident and silly Brummie who combines silly voices and a mad afro to devastating comic effect. Andy has numerous media appearances, including the BBC New Comedy Awards on BBC Choice, Brand Spanking New on BBC Radio 7 and his winning performance on the Weakest Link comedian’s special!

Ivan Brackenbury

He's bonkers! Ivan Brackenbury's fantastic 'Hospital Radio Roadshow', complete with inappropriate records and bungled cues, is now a regular fixture on the live circuit. A daft, inept yet adorable radio DJ takes you on a hilarious broadcasting journey. This is a unique, wonderfully brilliant act, guaranteed to make you cry with laughter. An absolute must see.

Tomorrow night’s show has sold out but you can still book ahead for our future comedy nights by clicking here.

*Line up is subject to change. MET Comedy is suitable for ages 16+ only.

Très Très Cabaret line up for Friday 8th April announced!

Get ready for an evening of saucy decadence brought to you by Stafford's first, and only
burlesque and variety show: Très Très Cabaret!

Take your seat in the secluded intimacy of the MET Studio, before sampling the saucy delights that Très Très has to offer. And what a selection!

 

The first performer to be announced for our April 8th extravaganza is the one and only...SIR LEOPOLD ALEKSANDER A.K.A. THE MIGHTY MOUSTACHE!

Paragon of gentlemanly conduct, strongman, circus artist and adventurer: his feats of strength and skill will amaze, astound and amuse you!

 

We're also welcoming back the inimitable SCARLETT DAGGERS! This Rock ‘n’ Roll redhead will get you hot under the collar with her sizzling stage presence and pyromaniac tendencies!

 

From a Hot Rod greaser-girl to a B movie Cobra Queen, Scarlett certainly stands out from the crowd!

 

Performing across the UK, and internationally, for over eight years, her unique acts place her in high demand and you can catch her, up close and personal at Très Très Cabaret!

 

We're thrilled to announce that LILLY LAUDANUM will be gracing our stage for the very first time on April 8th!

 

Winner of the World Burlesque Games British Crown 2015, Lilly Laudanum is a burlesque performer whose playful parodies are anything but routine! Combining the historical humour of Carry On films, a heap of Victoriana and a penchant for bringing the dead to larger-than-life, Lilly Laudanum's acts poke a cheeky finger at some of history's most prominent figures!

 

Here at Très Très Towers were over the moon that Lilly is bringing her signature, award-winning act portraying Queen Victoria at her most disgruntled to the good people of Stafford!

 

Also returning to Très Très Cabaret we have British Burlesque Legend and International Superstar - AMBER TOPAZ!

 

She razzle dazzled her way into our hearts at our December show, and she had such a great time shimmy-shaking for you all that she couldn't wait to come back!

 

Amber Topaz has sky-rocketed her way to international stardom by enchanting her audiences with her hip shaking boundless energy, stunning vocals and saucy comedy shenanigans!

A regular headline act on national and international tours, performing to thousands of people at a time, this is a rare opportunity to watch her weave her magic in the up-close-and-personal surroundings of the intimate MET Studio!

 

All of this personally selected for your entertainment by our resident producer, promoter and performer: STAGE DOOR JOHNNY!

 

A flirtatious, lyrical lothario and seasoned comic raconteur with razor-sharp wit, he'll have you grinning, giggling and eating from the palm of his hand - sometimes literally!

He can be heard singing everything from Shirley Bassey to Guns ‘n’ Roses as well as ridiculous self-penned medleys to surprise and delight you!

Do. Not. Miss It. Book while you still can!

You can book your tickets here or call us on 01785 619080.

 

 

 

 

NODA nominations for Stafford and District Operatic Society and MYTS

Stafford & District Operatic Society and their youth division, MYTS (Musical Youth Theatre Stafford) have both been nominated for NODA (National Operatic & Dramatic Association) awards for the Best Musical Production and Best Youth Production respectively. Held annually, these regional awards recognise the best in amateur musical and dramatic productions in both adult and youth organisations across the West Midlands.

Winners of the coveted Best Musical Production award in 2014 for ‘How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying’, the Stafford & District Operatic Society are thrilled to be nominated again this year for their bewitching 2015 production of ‘The Witches of Eastwick’.

MYTS are also previous winners of a NODA Award for their 2011 production of ‘Children of Eden’ when they won not only the Best Youth Production Award but also the Award for Best Musical Production, beating all nominated societies, adult and youth alike! MYTS are excited to be nominated for their ‘quacktastic’ 2015 production of ‘Honk!’ the tale of the ugly duckling.

Both groups are currently rehearsing for their 2016 productions, with Stafford Operatic Society bringing to life 'Calamity Jane' this April and MYTS performing 'Bugsy Malone' in July. Tickets for both shows are on sale now.

Comedy In The MET Suggested Line Up Saturday 20th February

We have a fantastic suggested line up through for Comedy In The MET this Saturday!

Ian Smith

Ian Smith (BBC3’s Sweat the Small Stuff, BBC2’s Popatron) is an award-winning comedian.
Ian has performed three critically acclaimed Edinburgh solo shows, as well as appearing in the award-winning “underground comedy hit of the fringe” (Guardian), ‘Waiting for Gaddot’. His 2015 show, ‘Whereabouts’ was nominated for the Amused Moose Comedy Award and received rave reviews (★★★★★ The Mirror ★★★★★ Three Weeks ★★★★★ Angry Microwave ★★★★★ Black Diamond).

Ian is also one third of iTunes top-10-charting podcast, The Magic Sponge, alongside Rob Beckett and Jimmy Bullard.

Ian also has a range of acting roles, including a lead role in BBC2 sitcom Popatron, starring alongside Katherine Parkinson in Sky comedy Officially Special and a leading role in BBC1 drama The Ark, starring David Threlfall.

“Fantastically funny” – The Times
“Proper star quality” – The Guardian
“You’d do well to catch him now before his inevitable jump to the big time” – The Telegraph

Larry Dean

Since being crowned 'Scottish Comedian Of The Year' at only 23, Glaswegian comedian Larry Dean has performed a number of high profile shows worldwide, including being the support act for Eddie Izzard, and Stephen K Amos and has appeared on BBC Presents: Best Of The Edinburgh Festival 2014 and 2015, along with being nominated for Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Awards: Best Newcomer 2015.

"Wholly unique, funny comedy... Dean is a fantastic comic" - Adelaide Fringe 2015
"Sharp and unexpected lines...and irresistible chutzpah"- Chortle.co.uk
"Fascinatingly funny...I'm sure Dean will be winning other awards in the future"- Evening Standard

Sol Bernstein

Yes it's true! After 25 years of semi-retirement, playing nursing homes, Sol Bernstein is back where he belongs, in smokey nightclubs performing to drunks.

He's the man who helped the career's of Elvis Presley, Marcel Marceau (never even got a "thank you") and even the Beatles were influenced. He's worked with, and been friends with, some of the worlds GREATEST performers; Judy Garland, The Rat Pack, Lenny Bruce, Jack Benny, George Burns, Milton Berle, Doris Day, Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Eddie Large.

He's performed all over the world at venues including The London Palladium, New York's Carnegie Hall, The Paris Olympia, Caesars Palace Las Vegas, and Scunthorpe Baths, but it's at night clubs where Sol really comes to life. His charisma, his style, his catch phrase "why don't you put on a tie" his chutzpah, put it all together and you get the magic that is Sol Bernstein.

Tickets for Saturday's show have sold out but you can still snap up a ticket for next month's show by clicking here.

*Please note the line up may be subject to change. Comedy In The MET is recommended for ages 16+ only.

JUICE Comedy are BACK!

On Friday 5th February, Stafford’s longest-running comedy club returns to us!

Started by local comedians Rob Halden and Neil Reading, JUICE Comedy has been bringing laugh-out-loud comedy shows to the county town for over ten years.

Their next show on Friday 5th February will take place at The MET Studio and feature a host of top comedians from across the country. JUICE Comedy shows never fail to offer amazing value for money, featuring a whopping FIVE hilarious comics for a full night of entertainment!

The headline act for the show will be hilarious comedy veteran ANDY WHITE. An energetic, cheeky Brummie, Andy regularly performs for all the top comedy clubs in the country (The Comedy Store, Frog & Bucket, Glee Club). His fifteen-year career has taken him all over the world, performing in clubs from Monte Carlo to Berlin to Dubai.

Acting as host and MC for the show will be the incredibly talented AARON TWITCHEN. A versatile and engaging performer, Aaron is accomplished at stand-up and compere. His mastery of improv comedy means he can engage and interact with any audience in the country to hilarious results.

Also on the bill will be; the brash, bold and anarchic CHRIS NORTON WALKER
the inventive and smart TOM CHRISTIAN and the highly talented JON PEARSON, who regularly performs for The Glee Club, The Comedy Store and Jongleurs.

Tickets for this big show of five exciting comedians are just £12 and can be purchased by calling us on 01785 619080 or by clicking here.

 

Next Rock 'n' Roll Panto announced after record breaking year!

We are thrilled to announce after the record breaking success of Jack and the Beanstalk the next rock ‘n’ roll pantomime will be Aladdin, the “wok ‘n’ roll panto”!

The festive show will open on Thursday 8th December 2016 and run until Sunday 8th January 2017.

It’s time for celebrations in old Shanghai as the Emperor hosts a party to celebrate the engagement of his daughter to the mysterious and slightly suspicious Abanazer. Can the Emperor and Princess really trust him? Our hero Aladdin meets the Princess on the street and falls for her instantly, but knows a penniless boy like him could never marry a princess.

When Aladdin goes on an adventure with his best friend Nanas the Monkey could the discovery of a magic lamp really turn his fortunes around?

This incredible show will be filled with a storming line up of classic rock ‘n’ roll hits from Aretha Franklin, The Monkees, James Brown, The Temptations, The Jackson Five, and many more, all played live on stage by our amazing actor musicians.

The whole family will be tapping their toes and clicking their fingers whilst enjoying all the magic, slapstick and audience participation of a traditional panto.

Since bringing rock ‘n’ roll panto back in 2011, Producer Derrick Gask is thrilled to see such popular demand for the unique style of show which sees all actor musicians play classic rock ‘n’ roll songs live on stage.

“We’re incredibly proud of our rock ‘n’ roll pantomimes, as they are built in Stafford, rehearsed in Stafford, and we are delighted our audiences enjoy them as much as we do!” commented Gask.

“To have broken box office records before Jack and the Beanstalk closes is incredible. We can’t thank everyone enough who has been to see the show, some on multiple visits!” concluded Gask.

The last five rock ‘n’ roll pantomimes (Dick Whittington 2011, Beauty and the Beast 2012, Sleeping Beauty 2013, Cinderella 2014 and Jack and the Beanstalk 2015) have seen phenomenal audience growth for the county town venue, with a whopping 7,000 more people attending rock ‘n’ roll pantos compared the last traditional pantomime at the Gatehouse in 2010. Jack and the Beanstalk has currently sold over 18,000 tickets to date.

Tickets for Aladdin, the wok and roll panto will go on sale on Monday 11th January at 9.30am. Tickets are £18.50 adult / £14.50 concessions / £60 family. First week and New Year saver tickets are available from £13.50 on selected performances and there are school and group discounts available too, full information on these can be obtained from the box office.

Aladdin will also see the return of the ever popular late night adult only performances, which will take place on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th January 2017. Tickets for these performances are £15 and are expected to sell out fast again.

Tickets can be booked by calling the box office on 01785 619080 or by visiting www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

 

A HUGE thanks to everyone who has supported Jack and the Beanstalk!