Theatre NewsMarch 3, 2017

Cast announced for The Tempest at Stafford Castle

The cast for the 27th annual Stafford Festival Shakespeare production of The Tempest has been revealed to feature this year a number of famous faces from stage and screen.

The Tempest | Stafford Festival Shakespeare

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The cast for the 27th annual Stafford Festival Shakespeare production of The Tempest has been revealed to feature this year a number of famous faces from stage and screen.

Taking on the role of sorcerer ‘Prospero’ is, Stephen Beckett, probably best known for his roles on ITV as PC Jarvis in The Bill and Dr Ramsden in Coronation Street. However RADA trained Beckett is no stranger to either the stage, or indeed to Stafford Festival Shakespeare, having played Benedick in the 2007 production of Much Ado About Nothing at Stafford Castle. As well as his TV success he has enjoyed an extensive career in theatre, performing in regional theatre throughout the UK, as well as with the National Theatre in the brilliant A Small Family Business.

How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world, That has such people in’t. (Miranda, Act 5 Scene 1)

Joining Stephen, and playing the role of ‘Gonzalo’ will be another well-known face from the world of television: Richard Gibson. Fans of the classic BBC sitcom, ‘Allo ‘Allo!, will recognise Richard having played archetypal Gestapo Officer Herr Otto Flick in the hit comedy for more than a decade. More recently Gibson has made appearances on the acclaimed cult Channel 4 comedy, Toast of London, and has also performed at dozens of theatres right across the UK and continues to work in films, television, radio and theatre.

TOP CLASS CAST

Elsewhere, Zephryn Taitte, recently featured in the Financial Times as ‘One to Watch’, will take on Caliban and actress Grace Carter, whose TV credits include the BBC series, The Hour, will bring to life Miranda. Grace trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and has gone on to star in acclaimed productions of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and All My Sons.

We are all excited to be working with such an amazing cast of actors, many of whom audiences will recognise from their previous work in film, theatre and television.

Returning to Stafford again following their successful appearances last year will be James Lawrence taking on the role of ‘Sebastian’ and who will hopefully bring the same energy and presence to the Stafford Castle stage as he did playing ‘Cassio’ in Othello last year, Meanwhile Reece Richardson – singled out for critical acclaim last summer – is set to play ‘Ferdinand’.

Completing the ensemble cast, Maisey Bawden will portray ‘Adriana’, Johnathan Charles will be ‘Stephano’, ‘Trinculo’ to be played by James Hornsby, ‘Antonio’ by Morgan Philpott, and ‘Ariel’ by Gavin Swift.

ABOUT STAFFORD FESTIVAL SHAKESPEARE 2017

Established in 1991, Stafford Festival Shakespeare has fast become one of Europe’s largest open air Shakespeare productions.

The creative team behind last year’s acclaimed production of Othello – Director Clare Prenton, Music Director Craig Adams, and Production Designer Frances Collier – will reunite to bring to life Shakespearean masterpiece The Tempest

The Tempest will open on Thursday 22nd June and run until Saturday 8th July 2017 at Stafford Castle.

Full ticket information can be obtained from the box office on 01785 619080 or by visiting the www.staffordfestivalshakespeare.com

WIN A SHAKESPEAREAN PICNIC FOR TWO

To be in with a chance of winning a ‘Picnic for Two’ at Stafford Festival Shakespeare 2017, courtesy of Sugnall Walled Garden, entrants are being asked to come up with a Shakespearean themed name for a specially created ‘Shakespeare Themed loaf’ being baked for the event. More details here.

Or simply post your entry via Twitter using the hashtag #StaffordShakespeare to be entered in to the prize draw.

Entries will close at 4pm on Friday 19th May, with the winner set to be announced on Monday 22nd May. Full terms and conditions apply. For more information contact gatehouse@staffordbc.gov.uk

SHARE THIS COMPETITION WITH A TWEET

WIN A PICNIC FOR TWO at #StaffordShakespeare at #StaffordCastle in The Tempest Great Shakespearean Bake-Off competition http://www.staffordshiretheatre.com/bold-passionate-and-imaginative-othello-at-stafford-castle-festival-shakespeare/ #Stafford Click To Tweet

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WHERE

Stafford Castle,

Newport Road, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 1DJ

WHEN

Thursday 22nd June – Saturday 8th July 2017, 8pm
Matinee on 1s July, and 8th July, 2pm
(note no performances on Mondays, and the Sun 25th June performance is at 5pm)

School Performances:

Dedicated School performances on Tuesday 27th June, and Tuesday 4th July 2017, at 2pm. Please contact the box office for more details.)

Tickets

Range from £13.50 to £25.50.
Group Rates 10+ save £1 per ticket / 20+ save £2 per ticket plus organiser FREE

Stafford Enjoy Card offer: save 10%, max 4 tickets per card

All bookings incur a 50p per ticket booking fee, This is capped at 8 tickets for groups.

Stafford Festival Shakespeare performs in the open air with reserved seating in a covered grandstand.

The venue is accessible to the disabled and wheelchair users.

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BOX OFFICE

Tel: 01785 619080

gatehouse@staffordbc.gov.uk

ONLINE BOOKING

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If you need help please contact the venue box office on the number provided above. Enjoy the show.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGTvTPmYXjA&t=10s&rel=0″ title=”BBC MIDLANDS TODAY STORY ON A PREVIOUS STAFFORD FESTIVAL SHAKESPEARE”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1493540432772{margin-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #e8e8e8 !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1459159851723{padding-right: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 40px !important;}”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”SEEN THIS SHOW? SUBMIT YOUR REVIEW” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1458936183375{padding-top: 10px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column offset=”vc_col-lg-12″][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1459162231179{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1459162663301{padding-bottom: 20px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-md-12″][vc_column_text]We love to hear what people think about Staffordshire Theatre – so why not share your feedback about this show and help others to decide if they’d like to see it.
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