Stafford Gatehouse Theatre has announces that internationally acclaimed director and playwright Nona Shepphard will be the director of this years Rock ‘n’ Roll pantomime, Dick Whittington.

Nona Shepphard

Nona Shepphard started her career as an actor in her hometown of Liverpool and has to her credit over a hundred and forty productions and fifty commissioned plays.   Her plays for young people have received several awards and been seen all over North America and Europe.

Her directorial debut followed two years after graduating from King’s College, when she was given the opportunity to direct Poliakoff’s Hitting Town and Pinter’s The Caretaker at Nuffield Theatre.  Since then Nona has enjoyed a varied and successful career as associate director at Chester Gateway Theatre, ASC based in New York and currently at RADA in London.

Nona is no stranger to slapstick pantomime. Since 1987 she has enjoyed a close association with the Drill Hall London where she has written and directed seven all-women pantomimes.

Nona enthused: “I have always loved pantomime – it’s such a festive and celebratory event. But most of all because it’s social and communal and in these days of individuals staring at screens of one sort or another, plugged into their iPods or mobiles, a show that brings people out together at Christmas.

“In a rock ‘n’ roll panto, you’ve not only got the great story, crazy characters, and opportunity to join in the action with HE”S BEHIND YOU or OH NO YOU AREN”T!, you’ve got the fabulous songs as well! Wonderful melodic or classic hits that everyone can sing along to, young and old. I could not be more pleased that I have been invited to direct Dick Whittington this Christmas in Stafford.”

This year’s tale sees Dick Whittington and his trusty friend Taffeta the Cat twisting their way from their home town Stafford to the big smoke of London for Christmas as they head off in search of fame, fortune and rock ‘n’ roll.

The incorporation of rock ‘n’ roll numbers is not the only unusual thing about this blockbusting pantomime.  Audiences should prepare to be amazed, as the cast play all the music live throughout the show. Witness Dick Whittington don a guitar or King Rat take on a saxophone.

Popular hits incorporated into this year’s panto include blockbusters Hippy Hippy Shake, Uptown Girl, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Dead Ringer for Love, Tainted Love, Single Ladies, Walking On Sunshine, Gimme Some Lovin and more.

Tickets for Dick Whittington are on sale now. It runs from Thursday, December 8, 2011, until Saturday, January 7, 2012. Tickets are £16.95 for adults and £12.95 for concessions.  There are also specially priced offers of first week saver and new year saver tickets available for £12. Buy tickets on 01785 254653 or at www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk