Claybody Blog
Dirty Laundry Podcast
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...
Digging Up The D-Road
COMMUNITY RESEARCH INTO OUR NEXT PRODUCTION The A500 has been driving us all round the bend since it opened in 1977, and now Claybody Theatre is researching a new play called ‘THE D-ROAD’ We’re holding three ‘drop-in’ sessions across the city to gather your memories...
Have a flutter for Claybody Theatre
Remember our first ever show, UGLY DUCK? Now you can support our next show, with the chance to win up to £25,000. Sign up to our Potto Lotto for just £1 a week and you'll be helping us bring the drama of Stoke stories to life....
Claybody Theatre Company Announce Patron
Claybody Theatre Company is delighted to announce that British actor, Toby Jones, is to become our patron. British Actor Toby Jones is known for his performances both in the theatre and on screen. His credits include roles in John le Carre’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,...
In conversation with a city…
There is never a specific start to the writing of a play – especially not for my plays, set in Stoke-on-Trent. An image, a snatch of conversation, or a detail of life in the city, sets seed and stays dormant for a while - until something else triggers germination. I...
Hot Lane Memories
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
The Potteries in 1950s
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....
A new face on the Claybody team
16th September 2017
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,...
Miner’s Strike – 30 Years On
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...
Pot Bank Memories
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...
Past Work
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...
Festival In a Factory
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...
Thérèse Writes
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...
Claybody Community
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...
A Christmas Carol – Twelfth Night
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...
Thanks!
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...
City of Culture Judges
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...
11th October 2017
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...
30th September 2017
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...
23rd September 2017
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...
Dirty Laundry
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...
Dirty Laundry – Characters
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...
A Christmas treat
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...
Still cooking…
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...