How Stoke-on-Trent inspires Claybody Theatre
- Published
The D Road at Spode Works featuring Riana Duce
A theatre company producing plays inspired by Stoke-on-Trent has said that in its 10th year, both the city and its people continue to influence.
Claybody Theatre, based at Middleport Pottery, was founded by actors Deborah McAndrew and Conrad Nelson.
The first production in 2013, called Ugly Duck, was performed in Burslem's School of Art, and the most recent, Song of the Sytch, at Spode in Stoke.
The audience had trusted something new, Mr Nelson remembered of the beginning.
Ms McAndrew added, however, that picking a favourite production was like being asked to pick between your children.
There remained "constant inspiration from the place and people", according to Mr Nelson, artistic director.
Deborah McAndrew in rehearsals for Song of the Sytch at The Dipping House at Spode in Stoke
Ms McAndrew set Song of the Sytch in Burslem in the run-up to World War Two, and said it was very special as it was her first original play in a few years.
Following the challenges posed by lockdowns amid the Covid pandemic, the positive live response to the latest production reminded her why she did the job, she added.
Other Claybody Theatre plays have included:
The Card - an adaptation of Hanley author Arnold Bennett's 1911 comedic novel.
The D Road - set on a piece of land between the A500, railway and Trent and Mersey Canal.
Hot Lane - set in the Potteries in the 1950s.
Conrad Nelson in rehearsals for The Card at Fenton Town Hall
The aim in the next ten years was to keep Claybody Theatre going and eventually bring in other people to take on the company, said Ms McAndrew.
"To continue, that's all people in our business ever do, really. I want to be working next year, that would be good."
