Cast speak of excitement ahead of Shakespeare festival

The Tempest is being performed in the open-air surroundings of Stafford Castle from June 22 until July 8.

Stephen Beckett, known for appearing in Coronation Street and The Bill and Richard Gibson of BBC hit sitcom series 'Allo 'Allo!, told the Express & Star they couldn't wait for the festival to start later this month.

The cast begun rehearsals two weeks at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre ahead of the performance at the castle.

They will spend three weeks rehearsing with director Clare Prenton, including music rehearsals with musical director Craig Adams.

Mr Gibson, who appeared as Herr Flick in the popular 1980s BBC sitcom ‘Allo ‘Allo!, said the festival was creating a 'amazing buzz' around Stafford.

Richard has also notched up appearances on the cult classic Channel 4 comedy, Toast of London, and performed at celebrated theatre venues across the country.

He is playing the role of Gonzalo.

"Its one of the most exciting things I've done and I'm not just saying that", he said.

"There's an amazing buzz around Stafford – the driver of a taxi I was in said what an exciting thing it is for the town.

"Its a massive scale production but everyone seems so relaxed and in charge of it. The whole theatre and town seems to be behind it."

The twentieth century era production of The Tempest will be set against the backdrop of the glamour and elegance of the 1930s, say organisers.

Acknowledged as Shakespeare’s final solo play, The Tempest is widely celebrated as one of The Bard’s most enchanting works.

Established in 1991, Stafford Festival Shakespeare has been performed annually against the dramatic backdrop of Stafford Castle, which overlooks the acting company and the audience.

The performances have covered a vast range of The Bard's work, including romances, tragedies, comedies and histories – with tens of thousands attending over the past 26 years.

Meanwhile, Mr Beckett will be performing as Prospero in the show.

Best known for his roles on ITV as PC Jarvis in The Bill and Dr Ramsden in Coronation Street, he has also carved out an extensive career in theatre, performing at some of the UK’s most renowned venues, such as the West End, the National Theatre and the Royal Exchange.

He also performed at the festival in 2007 as Benedick in the production of Much Ado About Nothing.

He added: "Rehearsals are going really well. Because The Tempest is one of the last plays he wrote I think its got all the best bits from his favourites plays. Its got a bit of Macbeth; bit of Hamlet; a bit of Twelfth Night.

"We've begun our second week of rehearsal but work has been going on it for much longer. There are more than 700 lines of Shakespeare for me to learn.

"One of the first times in years I've turned up and not known any of the actors from before. I know Richard from his Allo Allo days but no-one other than that. They all seem very nice at this point.

"Its a completely different medium and technique performing at Stafford Castle instead of on television. You're being very naturalistic in front of the camera and generally you're working with different dialogue.

"Performing live at somewhere like Stafford Castle is completely different. You still try and inhabit the character and tell the story but you just have to do it in a different way."

The Tempest follows the story of Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, who becomes stranded on a largely uninhabited island where music, magic and supernatural creatures provide a strange education for him and his young daughter, Miranda.

Twelve years pass by and Prospero acquires some basic magic and self-taught mysticism of his own, all the while protecting his daughter from his slave, Caliban.

When Prospero's magic (with the help of his sprite, Ariel) causes a shipwreck, mayhem ensues in the course of one incredible day: Miranda falls in love with the shipwrecked Prince Ferdinand, murder plots are formed then abandoned, finally Prospero is reconciled with the brother who usurped him and all head safely home to Italy.

Tickets start from £13.50. Full information, including this year’s catering options, can be obtained from the box office on 01785 619080 or by visiting www.staffordfestivalshakespeare.com