Apprentices at a leading metal fabrication firm have helped to produce a distinctive out-of-this-world prop for a new theatre production that spotlights a famous UFO sighting over Stoke-on-Trent.
Over the last three months, four apprentices who work for KMF in Newcastle-under-Lyme have designed and manufactured a 12-foot diameter aluminium flying saucer.
It will be used to welcome audiences to Claybody Theatre’s latest production called Bright Lights Over Bentilee.
The saucer will be suspended in the entrance to the theatre’s home at the Dipping House building at Spode Works, Stoke.
Ethan Cooper, Adam Evans, Bayley Palmer and Kayleigh Simm were chosen from around 40 apprentices at KMF who sent in potential designs for the UFO.
Their concept drawings were then brought to life as metal sheets were cut, folded and welded and machine parts added.
Claybody Theatre Artistic Director Conrad Nelson said: “KMF are one of our main supporters and sponsors so it felt like a very natural fit to go to them with the proposal for this quite elaborate prop.
“The finished product is absolutely superb and is down to the hard work and craft of the apprentices and the skilful support they receive from KMF.
“It has been suspended in the entrance area to the theatre, so that the arriving audience has to walk by it as they head for their seats. It really adds to the immersive experience as they get ready to watch the play.”
KMF Managing Director Gareth Higgins said: “Our relationship with art was born out of being involved in Stoke-on-Trent’s City of Culture bid and initiatives like Operation Spitfire – I think there is an important link between an area’s business community and culture.
“This particular project gave the apprentices something really different to work on. “Normally we produce tens of thousands of square metal boxes designed by customers. So this was a rare opportunity to come up with something from scratch.
“The apprentices will be there on opening night of the play and it will be fantastic for them to see their hard work in context, what part it plays in the production and the response it gets from the audience.”
The play references a famous sighting on September 2, 1967 when a UFO was reportedly spotted in Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent. There were reports of a flying saucer and bright lights in the skies.
Conrad, along with co-artistic director and former Coronation Street star Deborah McAndrew, asked people to come forward with stories about the incident to shape the plot.
Bright Lights Over Bentilee runs from Friday September 27 to Saturday October 12.
