Claybody Blog

Claybody Theatre are delighted to announce that we have received funding thanks to the Government's Culture Recovery Fund, this support means we can bring a covid-secure live performance to Stoke-on-Trent this Summer.  We are already hard at work on this exciting...

Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, we are delighted to be working on a podcast version of our 2017 drama, Dirty Laundry. The podcast was recorded by our original cast earlier this year, and, although Coronavirus has slightly stalled the edit process, we are...

As part of her ongoing research for our forthcoming production, Hot Lane, writer Deborah McAndrew has been talking to Graham Gorton about his memories of the road in Burslem that inspired the title. https://vimeo.com/289772187

We were delighted to talk to Kathy Niblett as part of the research for our forthcoming production Hot Lane. We would love to hear more of your memories of the Potteries in 1950s. Please share your memories using the form on the Contact Us page of our website....

We are delighted to have recently been joined by Helen Slevin who will be acting as Producer for Claybody. Helen comes to us after seven years working for the New Vic Theatre. As well as being a member of the New Vic’s Stage Management team, Helen also produced their Hoard Festival – a large-scale event made up […]

I must admit that being a quiet, shy, little mouse-like creature I was feeling a little apprehensive and also curious as I trotted into the courtyard of Emma Bridgewater’s Pottery Shop last Saturday morning. But being of mature years and with a mental age of sixteen,...

This Heritage Lottery funded commission came from the North Staffordshire Miners’ Wives Action Group and Women Against Pit Closures. In the writing of the play – Digging In – Deborah interviewed local people who were children of mining families, and created the piece...

This ongoing community consultation exercise is feeding the research for our prospective site-specific production The Middleport Murders. In May and June 2015 we ran a series of meetings at Middleport Pottery, where local people who worked in the potteries as far back...

Post War Potteries As part of our research for our next play, DIRTY LAUNDRY, we held three community events to talk to local people about their memories of Stoke-on-Trent in the 50s and 60s. We had three terrific meetings (with tea and cake, of course) at Gladstone...

We’re delighted to announce that Claybody Theatre will give a rehearsed reading of our acclaimed play DIRTY LAUNDRY by Deborah McAndrew as part of the Festival in a Factory at the Emma Bridgewater Factory in June. You can book online for this event, and find details...

Here is the last blog and testament of the ‘Dirty Laundry’, now squeaky clean! What a fabulous two weeks we have been enveloped in! What fun we have had! What lovely, interesting, kind, gentle people we have associated with. It has been such a joy and a success. A...

Our work is rooted in the community we serve. All our projects have been inspired by the people and the city of Stoke-on-Trent.  On our next production DIRTY LAUNDRY we are working with a community company for the first time. This group of intrepid folk are helping us...

Bring your Yuletide celebrations to a close with festive fare, and a joyful sung version of Dickens’ classic tale A Christmas Carol. Join us this Twelfth Night at Potbank Café, Spode Works. With words by Claybody’s Deborah McAndrew and Music by Ashley Thompson of The...

Huge thanks to our wonderful Cast, Community Company, FOH, and Crew who made Dirty Laundry a sell-out success! Also – grateful thanks to Michael Escolme and his team at Spode Visitors Centre, and Amanda and Paula at Barewall for all their help selling tickets. And a...

The day of the visit from the City of Culture Judges! Saturday endeth the first week of the Play and what a week it was.  I can honestly say that I have never experienced a week quite like it, in my life before. It’s been such fun and a delight to mix with all of you...

Wasn’t it interesting, working in the actual factory of  “Spode”, for the first time on Saturday.  Weren’t we cared for and cosseted in the cosy “warm room” with chairs to rest weary legs and the “Pot Bank” for sustenance etc... I am fortunate that I am not obliged to...

Didn’t we have fun last Saturday?  I love the clapping and the concentration it takes to manage to get to the end in unison. . I’ve tried to explain Zip, Zap Splat,Boyng to my husband, but he seems to not have the temporary decendence into insanity required. . After...

I arrived early on Saturday and sat quietly Cappuccino in hand in Emma Bridgwater’s snug, comfy, cafe.  Every one arrived quite promptly and I was interested to note some new faces.  We met as before in the Meakin room and commenced the rehearsal with some interesting...

Reviews for Dirty Laundry The Stage 'Gripping...'    'Brilliantly acted...'   'Skilful writing...' At The Theatre 'Stoke is lucky to have this site-specific piece... if it is possible for you to visit, you will not be disappointed.' The Observer 'Under Conrad Nelson’s...

Revisit the characters from our critically acclaimed production of Dirty Laundry in this video. And don’t forget to book  your FREE tickets for the rehearsed reading of Dirty Laundry at Emma Bridgewater’s Factory in a Festival by following this link...

Claybody Theatre presents A Christmas Carol Cantata by Deborah McAndrew and Ashley Thompson. A through-sung version of Dickens’ classic novel. Conrad and Deborah will both be singing in this festive treat. A lovely way to start the Christmas season!   The...

Work in progress – The Middleport Murderers We are currently in the process of researching and developing a new site-specific drama at Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent. This project has included consulting with creatives and technicians, developing a script and...