Stafford Gatehouse Theatre West Midlands

What we offer on a school trip

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre operates as a receiving house, hosting a wide selection of touring shows suitable for audiences of all ages. Some of our touring productions are able to provide educational material however this is solely dependent on the show. To find out if a show has additional educational material please email thomas.waldron@freedom-leisure.co.uk The main auditorium has newly fitted tiered seating with occupancy of just over 500 it offers a clear stage view from any of its seats. We also have our newly refurbished MET Studio that offers comedy nights and music events seating up to 150. The Gatehouse has many facilities, which can enhance your educational visit such as Theatre and Backstage tours and a variety of educational performances. It is one of only five venues in the country to produce its own rock ‘n’ roll Pantomime and also produces the critically acclaimed Stafford Festival Shakespeare event at Stafford Castle. Stafford Festival Shakespeare We are proud to produce Europe’s premier open air Shakespeare production, which offers 1,000 seats each performance, covered tiered seating and picnic areas. This is a fantastic opportunity to see one of Shakespeare’s plays performed in an accessible, unique and inspiring way. The next production will be Macbeth at Stafford Castle from Thursday 28th June to Saturday 15th July 2018. Special schools matinees are on Tuesday 3rd July and Tuesday 10th July. To find out more please contact our friendly box office team on 01785 619080 or via email gatehouse@freedom-leisure.gov.uk For Stafford Festival Shakespeare we are also able to offer free Q&A sessions with the cast and crew after school performances. To make reserve a place for your school at a Q&A session please email thomas.waldron@freedom-leisure.co.uk Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto Stafford Gatehouse Theatre also produces a high energy, modern style of panto which sees all actors play music live on stage, and is proud to be one of only five theatres offering this unique style of show. Expect all the slapstick fun, magic and audience participation of a traditional panto fused with the thrill of a live concert. Children will be inspired to see our hugely talented actor-musicians act, dance, sing and play multiple instruments. This year we are producing Dick Whittington, the rock ‘n’ roll panto. The show will open on Thursday 6th December 2018 and run until Sunday 6th January 2019. We have a range of dedicated school matinees with excellent value tickets; but they fill up fast! So don’t delay in contacting our box office and to book your school in for a festive show with a difference.