<img src='' title='Event Category: Talk/Lecture' alt='' id='templ_icon_' width='' height='' /> Event Category: Talk/Lecture

NEW DATES ADDED: Book early as places are limited and all previous tours have sold out.

Join us for a backstage tour of the Gatehouse Theatre!

Our expert guides will reveal the story of Stafford’s magical venue from its beginnings as the historic Borough Hall right up to the modern day.

There’s a chance to see the dressing rooms, hear about how shows are put together, the stars that have played here and take a peek at our famous Green Room window wall and its dozens of famous autographs.

You might even get to meet some of our residents ghosts!

Places are limited to 10 and the tour involves some stairs so please bear this in mind when booking.

Includes a hot drink and scone in the coffee shop within the ticket price!

‘Absolutely fascinating – we loved it.’

‘So many interesting stories and things we never knew about.’

‘Brilliant – a real insight into a fantastic working theatre.’

 

As the shipping forecast embarks on its second century, bestselling author and award-winning broadcaster Charlie Connelly’s hilarious and informative show brings the quirky broadcast vividly to life, celebrating what he regards as the greatest invention of the modern age.

How did a weather forecast for ships capture the hearts of a nation, from salty old sea dog to insomniac landlubber? How is it possible for ‘rain later’ to be ‘good’? And where the hell is North Utsire?

Delving into the history of the forecast and the extraordinary people who made it, Charlie explains what those curious phrases really mean, celebrates its wide cultural impact, shares riproaring adventures from his own extraordinary journey through the 31 sea areas – the times he was accused by the media of trying to annex Rockall from the British government and sang sea shanties with Tom Hardy in a Manx hotel bar while Scary Spice pulled the pints – and presents his case for the shipping forecast being our finest achievement.

Inspired by Charlie’s bestselling book, which has sold more than a quarter-of-a-million copies worldwide, this pacy, moving and hilarious show takes you all the way from Viking to South-East Iceland to ensure the shipping forecast will never sound the same again.

“Charlie Connelly is one of the funniest people I have ever had the pleasure of sitting in a studio with…He has a natural wit that doesn’t get crushed by an over-zealous ego with a lovely personality attached to it.” Fi Glover, broadcaster

“Charlie is always warm, funny and engaging…I actually sent him a fan letter – and I’ve never done that to anyone in my life before.” Bernard Sumner, New Order

“I can thoroughly recommend an evening spent in the company of the very funny and very lovely Charlie Connelly whose knowledge of what I call ‘the ships’ is excellent. Sou’westers optional.” Corrie Corfield, BBC Radio 4

Come and join Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor as they recreate the match that gripped a nation – the 1985 World Snooker Final. A record-breaking 18.5m TV viewers stayed up to watch the legendary match and this is your chance to see the rematch with snooker royalty as we recreate the final frame from that special night.

Snooker legend John Virgo is your host and referee for an evening guaranteed to include his famed, hilarious snooker impressions. A night not to be missed, there will also be a Q&A, providing you with the opportunity to pose the questions you always wanted to ask. . . .

A limited number of VIP meet and greet tickets are also available, which include seats closest to the stage.

 

Direct from London’s West End – a thrilling and intriguing night of psychic mediumship!

Boasting an impressive, worldwide celebrity client list, Stuart brings his quick-witted humour, sensitivity, and compassion to the stage. 

Sharing his personal story – the childhood gift of being able to see with the mind’s eye – Stuart uses his extraordinary abilities to connect with the spirit world.

Intuitively drawn to members of the audience, he brings forward direct messages from the other side. Don’t worry about where you’re sitting, Stuart will find you if he has a message for you!

Spreading comfort and empathy to those who come to him, he specialises in bringing messages from loved ones who have passed on. 

And, recurring dreams are interpreted – no matter how silly, serious, or scary they may seem.

His message to the audience is to be open-minded and respectful for the evening ahead, and not to be nervous, as this will be an uplifting experience.

Don’t miss this unique and unforgettable evening. You have to see it to believe it. 

The production is investigational and for the purposes of entertainment

 

“Cheeky, best friend charm that’s entertaining”

Evening Telegraph

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I found the show both comforting and amazing given the details that Stuart was able to provide”

WhatsGoodToDo.com

 

“A truly intriguing insight into the psychic world. . . a first-class class act” 

Theatre, Films & Art Reviews

 

“An engaging evening’s entertainment. . . can be enjoyed by believers and sceptics alike” – The Reviews Hub

 

“He left sceptics scratching their heads”

Stamford Mercury 

 

Online Presence

 

Facebook.com/StuartMichaelPsychic

Instagram.com/StuartMichaelPsychic

Tiktok.com/@StuartMichaelPsychic

Website: www.ThePsychicMedium.co.uk

 

An unforgettable evening of true crime with two of Scotland Yard’s most prolific detectives. In an unexpected twist of fate, former Detective Chief Inspectors Steve Gaskin and Colin Sutton met two years ago, igniting a spark that neither could have predicted. What began as a chance meeting has evolved into a groundbreaking theatre production set to tour the UK in 2024 and 2025.

Manhunter & Mindhunter is a gripping two-man show that delves into the dark world of serial killers, offering audiences a unique blend of true crime storytelling and psychological exploration. Both performers have been featured on a variety of UK TV Shows. It’s not just another true crime show; it’s a deep dive into the mind of a serial killer, with a particular focus on Levi Bellfield, one of the UK’s most infamous criminals.

Colin Sutton, ‘Manhunter’, will lead the audience through the intense and meticulous investigation that led to Bellfield’s arrest, charge, and eventual conviction. Sutton’s account is not just a retelling of facts but an immersive experience that brings the audience into the heart of the investigation, revealing the unparalleled truth behind one of the most complex cases of his career. On the other side of the stage, Steve Gaskin is ‘Mindhunter’. Gaskin’s part of the production delves into the psychological makeup of Bellfield, exploring the chilling characteristics that define a psychopath. Steve is a criminal psychologist. His analysis goes beyond the surface, offering a deeper understanding of what drives serial killers to commit such heinous acts. But Gaskin’s role doesn’t stop at Bellfield; he broadens the scope to examine the psychology of serial killers in general, shedding light on the patterns of behaviour that have baffled investigators and true crime addicts for decades.

Audience members won’t just be passive observers; they’ll have the chance to engage directly. During the show, guests will be invited to measure their own ‘psychopathy’ using tools and methods that Gaskin and Sutton will introduce. This unique feature not only adds an element of personal intrigue but also challenges the audience to reflect on the thin line between normality and the dark recesses of the human mind.

An intimate evening of songs, stories and silliness in the company of Nik Kershaw.

Nik Kershaw exploded onto the UK pop scene in 1984. A string of global hit singles including ‘Wouldn’t it Be Good’, ‘The Riddle’ and ‘I Won’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ saw him languish for 62 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, making him the UK’s biggest selling solo artist that year. In 1985, he performed at Live Aid. After stepping out of the limelight to concentrate on writing and producing, Nik wrote Chesney Hawkes’s ‘The One and Only’ and collaborated with Elton John, Lulu, Petula Clark, The Hollies, Ronan Keating, Jason Donovan, Let Loose, Sia, Imogen Heap, Gary Barlow and Bonnie Tyler. In 1998, Nik returned to performing and has been crafting critically acclaimed albums ever since. Now he’s ready to look back with an intimate evening to coincide with the release of his new book. Expect songs, stories, and silliness from one of the nation’s most-loved performers.

Tickets:

£37 general

£53 VIP (best seats and goody bag)  

£85 Meet’n’greet (with best seats and goody bag)  

Run time: Chat with music and song. 90 mins with 20-min interval.

Following sell-out shows nationwide, the UK’s top true crime theatre tour is back.

Featuring Senior Investigating Officer Colin Sutton, who caught serial killers Levi Bellfield and ‘Night Stalker’ Delroy Grant.

Join us for a chilling, thrilling night at the theatre as Colin, former head of a Metropolitan Police murder squad, shares the stories of how he caught some of the UK’s most notorious murderers.

In this all-new show, Colin, the inspiration behind the ITV drama series ‘Manhunt,’ will walk you through his remarkable career and the experience of chasing and catching serial killers.

This unique, one-off event is perfect for true crime fans and theatre goers alike.

Don’t miss “The Makings of a Murderer 2” – a crime thriller night at the theatre!

Join us for An Evening with Paul Merson, as the football star discusses his illustrious career with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and England.

He’ll talk about games, dressing room/training ground stories, managers, fall outs and everything you wanted to know about playing for a successful football club.

Paul will open up about his experiences both on and off the pitch, his addictions, his media career and so much more. Paul’s wit and charisma makes an entertaining night and engaging evening for all football fans.

14+ age guidance.

A limited number of VIP tickets are available, affording the opportunity for a meet and greet with Paul and a photograph opportunity before the show.

 

Get on with it! If you desperately want to write but don’t know where to start, or have started but can’t continue, then this super-intense workshop is for you. Multi-award-winning writer/director/producer Dan Freeman gives you the tools you need to get moving and to keep moving.

A highly practical crash-course showing you how to create a compelling narrative in any medium. Dan Freeman is a multi award-winning writer/director in film, theatre and radio and has pioneered new media such as podcasting and webcasts (he created the world’s first).

He has taught at the BBC, RADA, Sony Pictures and Raindance, and runs his own company, Secret Planet Productions.

He is the writer and director of Welsh fantasy feature film Hold Excalibur, currently in pre-production.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of her global No 1 bestseller, Kate Mosse is set to thrill audiences anew with her unforgettable one-woman show, Labyrinth Live: Unlocking the Secrets of the Labyrinth.

With theatre at its most dazzling, immersive and dramatic, with music, imagery, and film, she will take us through history and mystery, on an epic journey across the breathtaking landscape of the Languedoc – of Carcassonne, Toulouse, Chartres and the Pyrenees.

As she revisits the brutal 13th-century wars between Catholic and Cathar, 20th-century Nazi-conspiracy theories, and the modern-day Grail legends that still surround the legendary mountainside where the so-called heretics met their fate, she will also share the secrets behind her writing.

Her characters will spring to life once more, in the light of her captivating inspirations, and the highs and the lows that helped her conjure up this timeless and beloved modern classic.

Join her at the heart of Labyrinth Live: Unlocking the Secrets of the Labyrinth.