A new interactive theatre show celebrating Stoke-on-Trent’s canal heritage will premiere at Middleport Pottery this weekend as part of the city’s centenary programme.
Boats, Barrels and Bottle Ovens takes audiences on a journey from James Brindley’s 1766 vision for the canals to the present day, told through stories of the women, men and children who lived and worked on them.
The promenade performance, which runs on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October, will move through different spaces of the historic pottery site. Audiences can expect to ‘meet’ boat families on the narrowboat Dane, relive a 1934 canal crisis and even take part in a 1960s pub quiz fundraiser to help restore the Caldon Canal.
The show has been devised with a local community cast and choir, ranging in age from 15 to 80, many of whom have direct links to the waterways. Songs are performed by Clay Chorus, with the production created in collaboration between Alarum Productions and B Arts.
The show has been written by Joanna Matthews and Kate Saffin of Alarum Productions, using archive material and interviews.
Joanna said: “It’s been a delightful journey learning about the rich history of Stoke canals. Although my ancestors worked in the potteries the family moved away and Stoke-on-Trent has been a bit of an unknown to me until now.
“I hope audiences think the songs and scenes we have created do justice to all the canal stories generously shared with us.”
Rebecca Frankenberg, B Arts senior creative producer, added: “Our canals are such a central part of our story as a city. It’s been fantastic to work on a centenary project that uncovers and celebrates some of their lesser-known stories, as well as the famous ones.
“People have shared some really great stories with us – funny, sad, hopeful and full of Stoke spirit – and who better to bring that to life that a community cast and choir from the city.”
The production is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and forms part of the Stoke-on-Trent Centenary Heritage Festival.
Performances take place at 3.30pm and 6pm on both days. Tickets are available here.
