Anya and The Potter- Review
When Emily Adams, one half of Greenhouse Theatre Project, moved to Stoke many years ago she bought with her a barrel full of inspiration to celebrate Stoke’s heritage – Review by Mel Osborne
Anya & The Potter is the third production based in Stoke-on-Trent following the success of A night on the Tiles in 2021, at Fenton Town Hall. This production was based at the Old bookshop at Stoke railway station, directed by Emily Adams and Rebecca Taylor Sharman.
Anya & The Potter is an immersive theatre experience. Colin (Jerone Marsh- Reid) works in the lost and found department at Stoke station. Colin is a kind soul, reuniting customers with lost property. Anya (Kiara Nicole Pillai) who has lost her suitcase. What follows is an adventure into heritage, identity and being part of a global community.
When researching for the play Greenhouse hosted a coffee morning at Fenton Town Hall, asking locals what home meant for them. They also worked with local group Asha in gathering and workshopping the play.
Anya is Malysian but has roots in Stoke-on-Trent through her Grandmother 48 years ago. However, for us to discover more it involves a bit of time travel.
At this point the first act ends, and we are escorted by a cast member and taken on to a bus – yes a beautiful cream and brown Turners bus. The number 64 in fact where we are whisked off on a mysterious ride around Hartshill.
Whilst enjoying the bus, conductor Tomas, played by Raphael Bijaoui , is utterly delightful as the upbeat Belgium conductor entertaining the passengers with a hap hazardous conducted tour and a bit of karaoke thrown in. Singing Dancing Queen on a bus on a Friday afternoon isn’t a bad way to end the week.
After a delightful tootle on the number 64 enjoying the Autumn sun, we are dropped off at Barts head quarters on Hartshill road for the rest of the story. It was truly an inspired and enjoyable experience. The audience members ranged from youngsters to the more mature and all seemed to be having a ball.
Acting in immersive theatre has its challenges, particularly as dialogue must be more flexible whilst interacting with the audience and maintaining the fourth wall, but the cast did an amazing job of remaining in character, particularly Kiara Nicole Pillai who faded into the crowd at the beginning and kept beautifully in character on the bus.
Jerone Reid was fantastic with the younger audience members completely unflappable providing them with an audience experience which will help them grow to love and explore theatre in the future.
The important take away from this production is that home isn’t always where you are born but where you find your passion. It was a gentle but pointed message about global communities and how we benefit from collaboration not resistance.
Greenhouse theatre embraced the heritage of the area in a beautiful and heartfelt manner. This production has finished now but hopefully we will be seeing a lot more in the future.
5 Stars
