Claybody Theatre is one of the hidden gems in the cultural talent on offer in North Staffordshire.
There are theatre goers in the area who make regular visits to the larger venues within travelling distance who have yet to discover the delights that are hidden in the Dipping House of the former iconic Spode pottery works.
Truly, those yet to make a visit to one of the productions of this highly-talented artistic company are missing a wonderful experience. The company has been building a well-earned reputation as the go-to if you want to be entertained by wallowing in the rich heritage of the Potteries and this reputation is further enhanced by the current production Bright Lights Over Bentilee.
With the action based around a widely-reported vision of a possible piece of UFO action back in the mid-60s, writer Deb McAndrew has produced not just a piece of drama that would satisfy anyone interested in extra-planetary activity but has also delivered an accurately-crafted insight into life on a council estate in the Stoke-on-Trent of 1967.
Jean Mellor (Kymberley Cochrane) has had problems throughout her young life – including her mum eloping with a door-to-door salesman when only three – and has found it extremely difficult to find employment. However, her aunt Beverley Allcock (Polly Lister) has given her a home and may have found an answer to the unemployment.
Jean’s expertise in numeracy opens the door to a position at Richards Tiles where Manager Sidney Kettle (Jack Wilkinson) is impressed by the young girl’s skills. More importantly though, Sidney is an amateur astronomer and when Jean has a strange experience when walking home from a bingo session at Clowes, the astronomer’s interest in UFOlogy is very much piqued.
Jean tries to keep her encounter a secret from her aunt and Beverley’s young daughter Sylvia (Ava Ralph) but there is plenty going on in the house. Sylvia has a string of beaux on her arms and is very dismissive of the “boring” house guest while Beverley is wondering how to cope with the attentions of Albert Ferry (Phil Corbitt) – a miner who definitely has the hots for the dinner lady despite having a wife and family in his native North East.
Matters are hardly improved when an other-worldly character who calls himself Michael (Eddie Westbury) appears on the scene and, as the “experiences” continue, it is clear that an abduction is in the offing.
Will Albert achieve his dream of living in the stars rather than toiling underground in a coal mine or are the miracles of mathematical expertise about to whisk Jean away? Will Stanley finally see the inside of an alien craft? And what earthly skills are the extra-terrestrials in need of? All is revealed
The audience members could not be more entertained. The delightful script flits between ET and Bentilee with the bingo and keep fit scenes absolutely on point making it so easy to be transported back to a true picture of working-class leisure activities that are now distant memories for many. There were many nods of approval and peals of laughter as the action progressed
There is excellent use of contemporary music to move between scenes and the lighting and sound produced by Jo Dawson and Scott Ralph enhances the rest of the production.
The cast performed well with great interaction between the actors and Conrad Nelson proved once again that he is a Director at the top of his game. All of this combines to make a must-see piece of local drama that will live long in the memory. And reveal a secret behind the name of one of Bentilee’s main thoroughfares.
I began the review by saying that Claybody is a hidden gem but the sold out signs for all of the performances are testament to the quality available. My advice would be the next time that a production is advertised you should buy your tickets immediately. Satisfaction is definitely guaranteed.
At one point in the play, it is asked “What would aliens want in Stoke-on-Trent?” Obviously, they have heard of the cultural treats awaiting them in the Dipping House.
