Top comic Seann Walsh will play Malvolio in The Bard’s much-loved comedy, TWELFTH NIGHT: A Cornish Tale which is sponsored by Staffordshire University at the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre from 21 June to 7 July this year.
BAFTA winner Molly Windsor, famous for her roles in Traces (BBC), Cheat (ITV) and Three Girls (BBC1) will play Viola, while Netflix queen Natalie Anderson (Fool Me Once) will play Olivia. The hilarious show is directed by Sean Turner who previously oversaw The Play That Goes Wrong, as well as last year’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Work on the set is taking place at the Gatehouse workshop in Beaconside, helped by a partnership with KEEP BRITAIN TIDY’S OCEAN RECOVERY PROJECT. This will see litter and debris washed up on the shores of South West England being used to create the set of the Stafford Shakespeare production before being recycled.
TWELFTH NIGHT: A Cornish Tale will be the 32nd Stafford Shakespeare production, with the first being HENRY V at Stafford Castle in 1991. Last year, the event was moved to the Gatehouse Theatre where it achieved a record audience for a drama at the venue, with more than 5,000 people attending.
There is also a special Backstage Tour available, with producer Mike Groves talking about how the show is put together, as well as a special production for younger children – The Sailing Academy, targeted at children aged up to nine. After a message in a bottle washes up on shore, the cadets are sent on a secret mission (with party games and dances) that will see them save the day and graduate as official sea captains with their own captain’s hat!
Cast
Natalie Anderson (Fool Me Once, Emmerdale) will play the role of Olivia, Molly Windsor (BAFTA winner for Three girls, Traces) takes the role of Viola and comedian Seann Walsh (Clown, Seann Walsh is Dead) will be Malvolio.
Lucinda Freeburn and Sam Lightfoot-Loftus, who return to Stafford Gatehouse for a second year, with Loris Scarpa, a third member of London-based folk band The Evolution of Fishermen. They will be providing originally-composed folk music throughout the show.
Joining them will be Andre Bullock (The Knowing, Casualty) in the role of Antonio and Benedict Landsbert-Noon in the role of Sebastian. Benedict is currently in rehearsals for the role of Oliver in The Pride for the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival.
Callum Sim (Offcut, The Book of Will) will join as Andrew Aguecheek, Liz Jadav will take on the role of Maria and Bob Golding will play the role of Sir Toby Belch. Liz has previously performed at the RSC in The Tempest and in Pygmalion at The Old Vic, whereas Bob is an 2010 Olivier nominee for Best Actor for his portrayal of Eric Morecambe. The play ‘Morecambe’ won the Olivier Award in the Best Entertainment category in the same year.
Completing the cast is Peter Watts (The Nutcracker: A Christmas Fairytale, The Threepenny Opera) in the role of Orsino and Sha Dessi (Tarantino Live, Les Misérables (West End)) in the role of Feste.
Creative Details
Director Sean Turner
Producer Mike Groves
How much do the tickets cost?
Tickets are priced from £24-£32 (concessions and group discount available).
How do I book tickets to watch TWELFTH NIGHT: A Cornish Tale 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 start on Friday, 21 June and will run until Sunday, 7 July 2024. The evening shows will run at 7.30pm while the matinee shows will be shown at 2.30pm on 22 June, 29 June and 6 July. There will also be a matinee show at 1.30pm on Sun, 7 July 2024.
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.
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.
You may want to read this:
Review: Beauty and the Beast at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre
Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre
Review: Stafford Gatehouse’s Open-Air Performance of ROMEO + JULIET
Photo credit: Stafford Gatehouse Theatre
