Forget Jools Holland’s Hootenanny – Claybody Theatre’s celebration of Stoke-on-Trent, Hootenanna, is the thing to watch this New Year’s Eve.
The free online show will be screened on Claybody’s website from 8pm on Tuesday, December 31. Hosts Dan Townley and Marie Bird will be chatting to guests in the party room, while a team of six community reporters – Rosi Monkman, Tina Kayela, Gwyn Higginson, Lisa Sharrock, Sophie Rushton and Fred Conway – will be sharing news from organisations across the city.
The Hootenanna house band has been put together especially for the show and band leader, Scott Ralph, who has written for Stoke-on-Trent superstar Robbie Williams, has collaborated with Claybody’s Conrad Nelson to write three new songs, which will premiere during the party.
Radio and events host Dan Townley, who has presented a show on Tunstall-based community station 6 Towns Radio for 10 years, said: “Hootenanna is a huge exciting show and I am thrilled to be a part of it. When I got asked to be the main presenter I was over the moon and definitely wanted to take up such a fantastic opportunity.
“It’s going to be like a TV show, but streamed online for free, and is all about Stoke-on-Trent, my home city which I love. It’s going to be really good fun and will be shining a light on local people and organisations from the area, plus there will be music, VIP guests and lots of surprises along the way – I cannot wait.”
Co-host Marie Bird works for community organisation The Indi Club in Sneyd Green and had never had any experience in the arts or media industry until she was picked to take part following a search for a local ‘Nanna’ to help present the show.
Marie, who has a 14-month-old granddaughter, said: “I have never, ever done anything like this in my life. I never imagined I’d be asked to co-host a show and it’s been amazing to be involved.
“Being a part of Hootennana has been a massive learning curve for me. It’s been an unbelievable experience, but it has also made me think of Stoke-on-Trent differently too.
“Our city can get such a negative press at times and sometimes people from the area put themselves and where they live down, but Hootenanna is really something positive for Stoke.
“I’ve learned about so many great things and have made relationships with some brilliant people. I feel very proud of where I’m from and we need more things like this.”
Claybody Theatre has created many successful local plays over the years such as Song of the Sytch, The D Road, The Card and most recently Bright Lights Over Bentilee. They were also presented with a Civic Pride Award at the University of Staffordshire Your Heroes Awards 2024 for their work in Stoke-on-Trent.
The theatre company is based at the Dipping House, Spode Works, Stoke, and received funding from Arts Council England – which is Lottery Funded – and Stoke-on-Trent City Council for Hootenanna.
Artistic Director Deborah McAndrew said: “In all corners of the city beautiful things happen and Hootenanna is a celebration of the whole of Stoke-on-Trent. We’ve been fortunate to have such fantastic people involved in helping to make this happen.”
