Review: Stafford Shakespeare’s HAMLET at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre*

[Ad-gifted] The Stafford Gatehouse Theatre is a stunning old Victorian theatre and one fit to host a show as magnificent as HAMLET which I had the privilege of watching last night!

Presented by Stafford Shakespeare in a fast-paced and accessible way to suit modern audiences, the play, directed by Richard Cheshire tells the story of Hamlet who returns home from university to find that, not only is his father newly dead, but that his mother, Gertrude, has quickly married his father’s brother, Claudius, who is now King.

The royal turmoil has led to threats of invasion and one night soon afterwards, the ghost of Hamlet’s father appears to him, accusing Claudius of his murder and urging Hamlet to revenge.  But how will Hamlet succeed? Thus begins a tale of madness, betrayal and revenge that threatens to destroy both kingdom and family.

Burnished with William Shakespeare’s most-quoted lines, this is a production that brings to life some of the most famous characters in history.

What Did I think of the Play?

Every year Stafford Gatehouse’s Shakespeare Festival returns to mesmerise and surprise audience with their adaptation of The Bard’s plays and this year is no different.  Over the years, we have featured ROMEO + JULIET as well as TWELFTH NIGHT and this year, they have decided to showcase HAMLET, one of Shakespeare’s best-known and longest play.

It was full house at the theatre last night and the audience buzzing with excitement but as soon as the play started, it went dead silent.  I would say that the first 10-minutes of play is crucial, as it sets the stage for what is to come and the appearance of Ghost of Old Hamlet.

The play centres around Hamlet and the emotions he experiences when he finds out that his mother (Ilinos Daniel) has remarried his Uncle, Claudius (played by Sean O’Callaghan) not long after his father’s demise. His emotions are thrown into further turmoil when he sees his dead father’s Ghost, who tells him that he has been murdered by Claudius and asks Hamlet to avenge his death.

Hamlet decides to behave erratically making the others believe that he has gone mad. But alas, he genuinely is disturbed by his thoughts that he accidentally kills Polonius (the father of Ophelia, his girlfriend), thinking he was Claudius.  Ophelia (Amy Tara) is next found drowned when she realises that Hamlet has deserted her and her father is dead.  Laertes (played by Matthew Khan), Ophelia’s brother, soon returns from the war to avenge the death of his father and sister which leads to a well – rehearsed sword fight and more deaths, ending in tragedy.

The chemistry between O’Callaghan and well as Daniel was wonderful and their professionalism shone throughout the play.  I totally enjoyed watching both Matthew Khan and Amy Tara who executed their characters to perfection. My favourite has to be Sean McKenzie who plays Polonius, as he had the ability to create pockets of joy and laughter making the dark themed play palatable. While Alex Wadham who plays Horatio is such a memorable character.

It goes without saying that the star of the show was Benedict Shaw who plays Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, as he was not only noteworthy but utterly believable.  He is such a charismatic actor and has the ability to draw the audience into his world and showcase the different moments of madness and vulnerability of Hamlet with such ease.

I loved seeing the stage converted into an extraordinary setting where the light danced with haunting music by Lucas Elliott to create layers of illusion, showcasing the scene changes.  The Set Design was uniquely designed by Patrick Connellan with the theme of death, words, books and ideas. The 3D Bookcases hung from the ceiling and looked as if they floated on stage and swung around as they moved.  The bookcases acted as a wall, backdrop and interactive prop, hence moveable and became part of the play. The addition of the video projection gave depth to the moment.

If you love all things Hamlet and have watched it numerous times over the years, let me assure you that this production is brilliant from start to finish and you will find that this show will be your favourite version of it!

Let me end with a quote from the play, “Goodnight , Sweet Prince and Flights of Angels Sing Thee To Thy Rest!”

Cast

Benedict Shaw – Hamlet
Ilinos Daniel – Gertrude
Sean O’Callaghan – Claudius/Ghost of Old Hamlet
Alex Wadham – Horatio/Voltemand
Lucinda Freeburn – Guildenstern/Francisco
Matthew Khan – Laertes/Rosencrantz
Sean McKenzie – Polonius/1st Gravedigger
Sam Jones – Marcellus/Player King/Prince Fortinbras/2nd Gravedigger
Conor Price – Bernardo/Hamlet Understudy
Amy Tara – Ophelia

Creative Details

Bethany Thomson – Video Designer
With Music by Lucas Elliott
Director – Richard Cheshire
Gary Stevens – Producer
Patrick Connellan – Set and Costume Designer
James Bennett – Production Manager
Helen Fagelman – Company Stage Manger
Kenan Ali – Fight Director
Bobby Standley – Sound Designer

How much do the tickets cost?

Tickets are priced from £28.50-£34 (concessions and group discount available).

How do I book tickets to watch HAMLET at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre?

Tickets can be booked by calling the box office on 01785 619080 or by visiting their website here.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The show will run until Saturday, 5 July 2025.  The evening shows will run at 7pm while the matinee shows will be shown at 2pm on 28 June and 5 July.  Run time: Approx 2hrs 40mins (including interval). Their bar is open 90 minutes before the show starts, so why not try a Hamlet’s Poison cocktail to get you in the mood?

Where is Stafford Gatehouse Theatre?

Stafford Gatehouse is an old Victorian theatre for professional and amateur shows, including Shakespeare and children’s plays. In 2007, the Borough Hall was reopened as Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, by his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester. The Borough Hall was originally opened on 20 June 1877 and the building once housed Stafford Borough Council.

Please note there are major roadworks in Stafford at the moment and traffic is heavier than usual, so try to allow extra time for your journey.

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre
Eastgate Street
Stafford
ST16 2LT
Tel: 01785 619080

Where to park?

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre is in the heart of Stafford, just seconds from the main shopping centre and central tourist attractions. It is less than 10 minutes drive from Junctions 13 and 14 of the M6 and can be found by following the theatre mask symbols on routes into the town centre. There are ample parking facilities a short walk away from the theatre and cycle racks are available outside the building. The nearest public parking is on North Walls and a map of public car parks in Stafford can be found here. We recommend parking at the Civic Centre ST16 3AQ or the Waterfront Car Park ST16 2HQ.

You may want to read this:

Review: TWELFTH NIGHT – A Cornish Tale at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

Review: Stafford Gatehouse’s Open-Air Performance of ROMEO + JULIET

Review: Cinderella at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

Photo credit: Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.