It’s official! Stafford’s Sleeping Beauty pantomime has smashed Box Office records to become the most successful show ever at the Gatehouse Theatre.

The panto was seen by 19,452 people over the festive period, drawing rave reviews from critics and audiences alike.

It is also the first show in Gatehouse history to have taken more than £500,000 in ticket sales. It smashes the previous records set by last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk and tops off a hugely successful 2025 for the Eastgate Street venue.

The theatre is operated by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Stafford Borough Council. Councillor Gillian Pardesi, Cabinet Member for Leisure at the council said she was not surprised it had been a box office success as it had been a fantastic show.  

General Manager Gary Stevens said: “We want to thank everyone who made Sleeping Beauty such a massive success, from the cast to the housekeeping staff and everyone in between. It’s been a real team effort and it’s fantastic to have set a new record for the theatre.

“We’d also like to thank our amazing army of volunteers who turned out for every show to make sure things ran smoothly – we couldn’t do it without them. But most of all, we’d like to thank the people who came along to see this incredible show in all weathers.

“It was great to see so many families of all ages having a traditional feel-good night out. For lots of the younger children it might have been the first time they’ve experienced the magic of the theatre and seeing the smiles on so many faces makes it all worthwhile.”

The record-breaking run, starring CBBC legend Mark Rhodes, followed another successful year for the Gatehouse, which has bucked national trends to see footfall increasing year-on-year. More than 150,000 people passed through the doors of the theatre in 2025, with other major shows including sell-outs from Jason Manford, Chris McCausland, Jonny Cole and John Barrowman. 

Hamlet, the annual Stafford Shakespeare production, also saw record attendances since moving from Stafford Castle in 2023. This year’s play Richard III (June 23 to July 4), starring acclaimed Netflix actor Matthew Duckett, has already sold around 1,000 tickets and will also be touring local schools for the first time this summer.

The theatre also hosts community events and shows for Stafford Film Theatre, as well as productions by Stafford Players, Musical Theatre Stafford, Musical Youth Theatre Stafford and many local dance groups.

Councillor Gillian Pardesi, Cabinet Member for Leisure at Stafford Borough Council said: “I’m not surprised this has been a panto Box Office record at the Gatehouse, as it was a fantastic show and everyone I have spoken to described it as one of the best they have ever seen - and I know some even returned to see it again, it was that good.

“Congratulations to everyone involved in putting on such a marvellous performance during the festive season, day in and day out, putting smiles on the faces of those of all ages and providing the warmth and laughter that a traditional panto does so well.”

Preparations are already under way for Aladdin next Christmas with more than 2,000 tickets already snapped up. For more information and to book your tickets, call 01785 619080 or visit www.gatehousetheatre.co.uk

Press Release No 6262