A Dream Role

The Stafford Shakespeare Festival is taking a somewhat different approach from usual in 2023. For the first time in its 30-year history, this major theatrical event will take place indoors at the Gatehouse theatre rather than in its familiar outdoor setting of Stafford Castle. Another Festival first will see musical theatre favourite Kerry Ellis make her Shakespeare debut, starring as Titania in this year’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Kerry chats to What’s On about the challenges of playing the queen of the fairies...

Actress Kerry Ellis is best known for her stellar roles in a host of blockbuster West End shows - including Wicked, Cats, We Will Rock You, Les Misérables and Oliver! - but this summer she’s swapping musical theatre for Shakespeare and starring in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre.

Taking the part of fairy queen Titania, Kerry is looking forward to the challenge of playing a lead Shakespearian role for the first time.

“Whenever something unusual comes along, I’m super-excited,” she says. “But then reality hits and I’m also slightly nervous, even slightly daunted by it.

“Shakespeare comes with a massive responsibility. People know and love the plays, a lot of people have studied A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and there’s a big weight that comes with that show. So it took me a few days to think about it, not because I didn’t want to do it, but I was asking myself ‘can I do it, can I deliver a performance like this?’”

Kerry decided to do some research.

“I knew the story and that A Midsummer Night’s Dream was one of the comedies, but I didn’t know it in detail. So I watched a version, with my two kids, in which Michelle Pfeiffer was Titania. I think what blew my mind most about it was that my kids, who are nine and seven-year-old boys, sat and watched the whole thing with me, and I couldn’t believe how engrossed they were in it. They were asking me questions and laughing and really just letting the language go over them.

“So I thought ‘I really need to play this role, I need to push myself and go for it.’ And now I’m really excited about it.”

Often cited as Shakespeare’s most performed play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a tale of magic and mixed identities. Two pairs of lovers elope and escape to the forest, but once there, they have a spell cast on them by a mischief-making fairy named Puck. Also in the forest, fairy queen and king Titania and Oberon are fighting over possession of a changeling child. With Puck’s intervention, who will be triumphant?

Kerry believes the play is a great introduction to Shakespeare.

“Give it a go because you will enjoy it. You’ll laugh and have a good time. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is accessible for people; it’s Shakespeare for everybody, and this production is going to be so much fun.”

She has been working hard to develop her character.

“What I love about the relationship between Titania and Oberon is that they are both like alpha-males and lock horns. The fire in their relationship is what brings them together. It’s almost like a sport; it’s exciting for them to kind of push each other. They are both very feisty, and I think what attracts Titania to Oberon is that he pushes her boundaries. If it was anybody else, she wouldn’t let them get away with it.”

As well as delving into the character, Kerry has also been brushing up on her Shakespeare ahead of the play.

“Shakespeare is something new for me, and I have a responsibility to deliver this language in a way that people understand. So I’ve been doing lots of prep - it’s almost like going back to A-level English! I’ve been doing lots of research and discovering the text. I watched Helen Mirren, who has done some talks on Shakespeare, and she was so brilliant, so insightful and helpful.

“For me, it’s about understanding the text before I go into the rehearsal room because that’s where it all happens. I did my first halfmarathon a few weeks ago, and if I hadn’t trained for it then I wouldn’t have been able to do it. And it’s a similar thing with a show - if you’ve done your training and you’re prepared, then you can just enjoy creating the performance. When I do a musical, I do all my research, then forget it all and do my own take on it.”

Alongside theatre, Kerry has a successful recording and live-concert career. Last month she released her fourth studio album, Kings & Queens, which was launched with a handful of concerts, one of which took place at Birmingham’s Town Hall.

“I like being busy! And performance is performance - it’s about telling stories and connecting with the audience.

“I remember doing The Importance Of Being Earnest before the pandemic. It was my first proper play, and the thing which struck me the most was that it was all exactly the same as a musical, except that I could hear my footsteps walking on and off stage! You never hear your footsteps in a musical because there’s always underscoring, clapping and noise.

“The Importance Of Being Earnest is also a comedy, and I think the key to a comedy performance is being as truthful and as honest as you can. If you try to be funny, it doesn’t work. If you play the truth and play the character, that will make people laugh.” Kerry has been to the Gatehouse as an audience member in the past, but this will be her first time on stage at the theatre.

“It’s quite an intimate space and the visuals are really good. I’m excited to get up there. It’s been a while since I’ve been so excited to do a show... I think it’s going to be a fun and brilliant production. And Stafford will be a nice place to spend a couple of weeks.”

Food news from across the region...

A tastebud-tantalising time at Trentham!

The popular Trentham Taste event makes a welcome return at Trentham Shopping Village this month (Friday 16 June).

The free-to-attend get-together features a selection of street food from the likes of Get Bun’d, stone-baked pizza from Totally Delicious and craft beer from Trentham Craft Bar.

Live music is provided by tribute favourites the Red Hot Chilli Potters.

Mamma Mia!-inspired restaurant to open in Shrewsbury

Independent restaurant owners The Shire Collection have announced the Shrewsbury opening of Shire Residence boutique hotel and Hush, an immersive Greek-themed restaurant inspired by the hit Abba movie, Mamma Mia!.

Located at the old Severn Social site in the town’s Frankwell area, the restaurant will offer a one-of-a-kind dining experience, with a menu inspired by the flavours and ingredients of Greek cuisine, curated by Executive Chef Chris Burt.

Shropshire brewery wins two gold awards

Shrewsbury’s popular food festival back for a 10th year

Shrewsbury’s thriving food scene will be celebrated in the town’s Quarry Park late this month (Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 June). Now in its 10th year, Shrewsbury Food Festival features over 200 local food & drink producers, a selection of fun events for the family to enjoy, bars hosted by local brewers and distillers, live performances on the bandstand, free kids’ activities, a circus big top, a range of shopping opportunities, a live music event and more. Festival Head Chef Chris Burt will be running the Cook Along sessions - which will feature an impressive line-up of local talent - and multi-

Shropshire brewery Three Tuns has won two gold awards for its cask ales. The company’s stout took home the Gold Best In Category award in the Cask Session Dark Beer category at the SIBA Wales & West Independent Beer Awards... The brewery also scored a success with its bestselling pale ale, XXX, which was awarded a gold medal in the Standard Pale/Bitter category at the European Beer Challenge Awards. New bottomless brunch

launched at Walsall eatery

Five Rivers Á la Carte Restaurant in Walsall has launched a new Bottomless Brunch menu. Available on the last Saturday of every month, Boujee Brunch will include unlimited prosecco and ‘delicious food options that will satisfy every craving’.

The menu includes lasani chilli chicken, awardwinning saag punjabi and chatpata gosht. There will be two sittings - one from 11.30am and one from 2pm. Tickets start at £39 per person and can be booked by visiting fiveriversalacarte.co.uk

Michelin star and five AA Rosette-winning chef, author & restaurateur Jean-Christophe Novelli will return to the Quarry following a successful debut last year.

Commenting on the festival, organiser Beth Heath said: “Join us for a sunny weekend in Shrewsbury’s gorgeous park. You can learn from talented chefs, try amazing food & drink, shop ’til you drop, enjoy live music, get handson in the field-to-fork area, and let the little ones go wild in our kids’ area, packed with free activities. Non-stop fun is guaranteed!”

For tickets, visit shrewsburyfoodfestival.co.uk

Classical music from across the region...

Birmingham Bach Choir

St Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, Sat 24 June

One of the city’s oldest and most distinguished musical groups, Birmingham Bach Choir here turn their attention to the work of 19th-century composer Johannes Brahms.

“Our programme will be a heady mixture of sacred and secular music interspersed by piano music,” explains the orchestra’s conductor, Paul Spicer (pictured). “This will be a memorable concert and a rare opportunity to immerse ourselves in music which enriches the soul and warms the heart.”

Ex Cathedra: Summer Music By Candlelight

St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury, Tues 13 June; St Peter’s Church, Wolverhampton, Thurs 15 June; St Paul’s Church, Birmingham, Tues 20 & Wed 21 June

Associate Conductor Sarah Latto takes charge of Ex Cathedra for a concert which the early music ensemble confidently predict will see audiences heading for home singing of summertime.

The programmes for these annual gettogethers, presented by candlelight as dusk falls, move seamlessly from seasonal favourites to rare, rediscovered,

Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 25 June contemporary and lighter repertoire. This year’s offering - taking the theme of ‘joy, and the many ways in which we can find it in our lives’ features, among other compositions, Iam lucis orto sidere - a sixth-century plainchant - the 13th-century Summer is icumen in, and from more recent times, Summertime and Summer Holiday

One of the UK’s most widely acclaimed nonprofessional symphony orchestras, the Birmingham Philharmonic here presents a concert of music from film director Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Michael Lloyd is the man with the baton as the orchestra makes its way through the following works: Selections from ‘Gayane’ (Khachaturian); The Blue Danube (J Strauss II); Ligeti (Lontano); and Also Sprach Zarathustra (R Strauss).

Lichfield Cathedral Chamber Choir

Lichfield Cathedral, Fri 9 June

If you’ve never experienced the pleasure of a Lichfield Cathedral Chamber Choir concert, then why not make June the month that you break your duck?

The choir’s repertoire covers a broad spectrum, from early music such as Tallis through to more contemporary composers, including Todd and MacMillan. This latest concert - a 40th anniversary celebration - sees the orchestra presenting an evening of music inspired by 17thcentury authors and poets.

CBSO Season Finale

Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 14 June Only a couple of months after becoming the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s chief conductor & artistic advisor, Kazuki Yamada (pictured) brings down the curtain on the 2022/23 season with an imaginative programme of work celebrating British music across a period of 100-plus years.

The concert is kickstarted with the world premiere of Dani Howard’s CBSO Centenary Commission, The Butterfly Effect, after which Britten’s Serenade For Tenor, Horn & Strings delights, haunts and terrifies in equal measure.

The evening - and the season - is brought to a close with a performance of Elgar’s energetic and deeply personal First Symphony. The piece was written by the Worcestershire-born composer at the age of 51 - a full decade after he’d first attempted to write a symphony.

by Steve Adams