Cast announcement: The Comedy of Errors 2011
31st May 2011
Rupert Hill
Antipholus of Syracuse Former Coronation Street heart-throb, and established theatrical actor. Rupert is looking forward to taking part in one of the largest outdoor productions of Open Air Shakespeare in Europe. |
Eric Potts
Dromio of Syracuse This will be Eric's third appearance at Stafford Castle following on from his hugely successful portrayals of Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night (2009) and Sir John Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor (2010). |
Polly Maberly
Luciana One of Britain's hardest working actresses, Polly has starred in a plethoria of TV productions including Hollyoaks, Foyle's War, Holby City, The Royal, The Bill, Pride & Predjudice (plus many many more...) |
Phylip Harries
Dromio of Ephesus Back by popular demand following his brilliant portrayal as Sir Hugh Evans in last year's production of Merry Wives of Windsor, Phylip takes time out from his role as Associate Director at Theatr Na Nog. |
Nigel Lister
Solinus Trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Nigel is an award-winning actor with numerous Shakesperian roles to his name plus TV credits including The Bill; Steel River Blues; Murder Investigation Team; Doctors; Dream Team; Footballers Wives. |
Johnson Willis
Egeon Johnson Willis makes a welcome return to Stafford Festival Shakespeare following his brilliant performance of Antonio in Twelth Night. Johnson Appeared in Tim Burton's 2007 movie Sweeny Todd starring Johnny Depp. |
Eamonn O'Dwyer
Antipholus of Ephesus Eamonn trained at The Royal Academy of Music. He has just finished working on The National Theatre's award winning production of "War Horse" at the New London Theatre and has performed in Shakespeare in Japan! |
Alex Parry
Angelo Alex trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. TV credits include Torchwood and Dirk Gently (BBC).Theatre credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet (Clwyd Theatr Cymru). |
Daniel Lloyd
Balthasar Best known for his acting roles at Clwyd Theatre Cymru, working alongside SFS director Peter Rowe, Daniel is also a professional guitarist, singer/songwriter and fluent Welsh speaker. |
Susannah Van
Emilia Susannah trained at Rose Bruford and has just returned from touring with the critically acclaimed production of "Guys and Dolls" also directed by SFS's Peter Rowe, where she played General Cartwright Susannah returns to Stafford where she played The Genie in our rock and roll panto "Aladdin". |
Polly Frame
Adriana Polly appeared in a modernized version of William Shakespere's Macbeth that was a hit on the West End of London which also made an appearance in the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City in 2008. |
Esther Biddle
Courtesan Esther trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre arts and Bristol University. She has worked in numerous actor musician shows and has just returned from a year long Number 1 Tour of Chess directed by Craig Revel Horwood. |
Act, Sing, or Dance? Stafford Festival Shakespeare needs you!
8th April 2011
Producers of Stafford Festival Shakespeare are on the hunt for local people to audition for up to twenty parts in this year's production of The Comedy of Errors.
Successful candidates will be given the opportunity to star alongside professional and talented actors like previous performers such as Matthew Kelly, Julie-Kate Olivier, Sally Lindsay and Eric Potts. They will also be directed by a high profile creative team including Peter Rowe who directed last year's production of The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Derrick Gask, Artistic Programme Manager for Stafford Gatehouse Theatre and Producer for Stafford Festival Shakespeare, has been encouraging local performers to come along to the auditions. He commented: "This year we are looking for something slightly different from the local community as we are searching for people who are able to sing, dance and act to appear in the production of The Comedy of Errors. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of the 21st Birthday production of one of the most prestigious outdoor Shakespeare events in Europe."
Stafford Festival Producers are looking for 15–20 talented males and females who are able to sing, dance and act, aged 16+. Auditions will take place on Sunday 17 April 2011 and anyone wishing to take part must be available during the rehearsal period and all performances of The Comedy of Errors run.
Those wishing to audition should report to Stafford Gatehouse Theatre on Sunday 17 April 2011 at 9.30am for registration. Auditionees will then be split into groups and will audition with the members of the creative team for approximately 25–30 minutes. During the audition the candidates will be taught a short piece, which they will then perform back to the group.
Following this the groups may be given a short extract to read or a song to sing. There may be callbacks later in the day for auditioning dancers, so the show's producers are asking that interested parties are available throughout the day.
Derrick added: "This is an amazing opportunity for successful applicants as they will have the chance to perform to over 14,500 people! It could be a fantastic stepping stone for anyone who has considered a career within the theatre, or just an amazing experience for those that enjoy performing."
All successful candidates will then be required to attend some daytime, evening and weekend rehearsals which commence Tuesday 31 May onwards, up until, and including, performances from Thursday 23 June – Saturday 9 July 2011.
For more information regarding the auditions please contact Derrick Gask, at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre on: 01785 253 595 ext 299.
Local MP shows his support
4th March 2011
Stafford's Conservative MP, Jeremy Lefroy, has raised awareness of Stafford Festival Shakespeare in the House of Commons. Mr Lefroy suggested that TV broadcasts from the castle could encourage more visitors to the county town.
"I think we have to do more and more to encourage local tourism and I do think that if people see the excitement of a production at somewhere like Stafford Castle, they'd be inclined to say, well, I'll go along and watch that myself next year," said Mr Lefroy. "I always feel that we don't make enough of them. They're done to such a high standard and they should be available to a wider audience."
The county town's Shakespeare festival started in 1991 and this year celebrates its 21st anniversary. Audiences have grown from less than 4,000 people in its opening year to its present capacity of almost 15,000.
2011 is set to be a significant year for Stafford Festival Shakespeare as it celebrates its 21st anniversary. This year's production of The Comedy of Errors runs from Thursday 23 June until Saturday 9 July 2011 at Stafford Castle, with ticket prices starting from £10.
Stafford Festival Shakespeare director revealed
16th March 2011
Derrick Gask, the festival's producer, can exclusively reveal who will be directing Stafford Festival Shakespeare 2011: "I am delighted to announce the return of Peter Rowe as director for this year's play The Comedy of Errors. Peter has been behind the previous two Festival Shakespeare productions and it is a real privilege that he has agreed to direct the 21st production."
During Peter's successful career, he has been Artistic Director for the New Wolsey Theatre, The Solent People's Theatre Company and Liverpool's Everyman Theatre. He has also directed productions for the Nottingham Playhouse, The Swan Theatre, Worcester, Bolton Octagon, The Redgrave Theatre, Farnham, Watford Palace Theatre, Wythenshawe Forum and numerous touring and theatre companies.
On returning to direct his third Shakespeare production Peter said: "I am very much looking forward to directing Stafford Festival Shakespeare this summer for the third time, following on from the fun we had last year with the Merry Wives of Windsor."
For those not familiar with the play, Peter explains: "The Comedy of Errors is Shakespeare's first full blown farce – taking the comedy of mistaken identity to absurd lengths as the confusion multiplies between the two sets of identical twins."
"As in Twelfth Night, however, beneath the knockabout and slapstick there is a poignant story of loss and grief before the families are finally re-united. Music and dancing will again play a large part in the production which we will be set somewhere Mediterranean, where the temperatures are hot, volatile and prone to violent eruptions…"
Box office: 01785 254653
Opening Times:
10.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday
8.00pm on performance nights
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