21 years of 'Shakespeare at Stafford Castle'

Bring your own picnic or pre-order
one from the Greengate Deli

Stafford Festival Shakespeare is produced by Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, for Stafford Borough Council which lies in the heart of Stafford town centre. The event is the centrepiece of the borough's popular family orientated Stafford Festival.

The production was established in 1991, and has been performed annually against the dramatic backdrop of Stafford Castle, which overlooks the acting company and the audience. The performances have covered the full range of The Bard's work, including romances, tragedies, comedies and histories.

The event's reputation has grown dramatically in recent years, attracting many accomplished and respected actors to play alongside experienced local actors. The event is now regarded as one of the top three Open Air Shakespeare Festivals in the country and has seen audiences grow from 3,776 people in its opening year to its present 14,848 capacity.

Mark Little as the outrageous Bottom
in A Midsummer's Night Dream

The broad appeal of Stafford Festival Shakespeare is demonstrated in the audience profile, with as many as 25% of people attending their first ever play. They have come to expect a creative and entertaining drama, designed to make Shakespeare accessible and enjoyable to all. Many visitors turn the event into a family outing, complete with picnics in the castle grounds.

Over the last 21 years Stafford Festival Shakespeare has welcomed a stellar cast including Leila Birch, Matthew Kelly, Eric Potts, Toyah Willcox, Kristian Schmid, Rula Lenska, Scarlett Johnson and Stephen Beckett to name a few.

Box office: 01785 254653
Opening Times:
10.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday
8.00pm on performance nights

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