A sell-out audience was treated to an evening with one of the biggest stars of TV and cinema for a theatre company’s fundraiser at its new historic Stoke-on-Trent venue.
Acclaimed actor Toby Jones OBE, known to millions for his small screen roles in The Detectorists and The Long Shadow – as well as movies such as Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and the Harry Potter series – took centre stage for the Claybody Theatre event.
An Audience with Toby Jones OBE, featured Claybody Artistic Director Deborah McAndrew interviewing theatre company patron Toby on stage, where he gave insights into his career and the roles he has played.
The evening was sponsored by KMF, and came as Claybody has called on more businesses to lend their support – so extra productions can be laid on and the company can expand its work in the community.
The venue for the packed event was The Dipping House, at the regenerated Spode Works in Stoke, which has become Claybody’s new production home.
Award-winning Toby, whose famous actor dad Freddie Jones was born in Longton, is well known in the Potteries for having played former Stoke City kit man Neil Baldwin in the hit TV show Marvellous.
Most recently, Toby starred in the powerful ITV drama, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, which tells the story of hundreds of sub-postmasters who were falsely accused and convicted of theft, fraud and false accounting.
Former Coronation Street Star Deborah said: “Toby Jones is very proud of his links to Stoke and has been the Patron of Claybody Theatre since he saw one of our shows in 2018.
“I thoroughly enjoyed interviewing my old friend, and we were delighted to be able to show Toby our amazing new venue – The Dipping House in Spode Works.
“We are working in collaboration with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and have exciting plans for this fantastic heritage space, with more events coming up in 2024.”
Claybody Theatre is a Stoke-on-Trent-based company whose work is inspired by the lives and experiences of local people. The company was founded in 2015 by playwright Deborah and director Conrad Nelson.
