Ceramic Heritage on the Big Screen – and Iconic pottery museum reopens its doors
Scenes shot at the stunning Gladstone Pottery Museum will fill the big screen in a film about one of the world’s most influential ceramic artists.
Sky Original movie, The Colour Room, based on the rise of one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most famous former residents, Clarice Cliff, was filmed on location in the city.
The popular Gladstone Pottery Museum – reopens to the public on Saturday 13 November 2021 – features heavily in the film with staff overseeing shooting in the cobbled courtyard and workshops.
Starring Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton) as Clarice, alongside Matthew Goode (The Imitation Game) as her husband, Colley Shorter, the film is available to view via Sky Cinema and streaming service.
As well as being one of the UK’s most prolific and renowned ceramicists, Clarice is also celebrated for breaking the glass ceiling and revolutionising the workplace in the 20th century.
Best known for her innovative, colour-rich designs, Clarice Cliff is synonymous not only with Stoke-on-Trent, often labelled ‘world capital of ceramics’, but also with Art Deco and she is now revered and collected all over the world.
The Colour Room charts Clarice’s journey to stardom in the area’s pottery industry in the 1920s, before she went on to become one of the most famous designers in the world.
Fittingly, many of the locations reflect the streets and potteries that Clarice knew as she worked her way up from humble beginnings to become a pioneering icon of ceramics in a man’s world.
Today, visitors can follow in her footsteps by visiting potteries almost unchanged since the 1800s, seeing world-class ceramic displays and even have a go at pottery throwing.
They can also learn more about the area’s rich pottery heritage by visiting some of the key movie locations, including Gladstone Pottery Museum and Middleport Pottery.
Councillor Lorraine Beardmore, cabinet member for culture, leisure and public health at Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: “Stoke on Trent has such a proud history of being the world centre for ceramics, and famous ceramicists such as Clarice Cliff are a big part of that legacy. So we’re rightly proud and incredibly excited about the release of The Colour Room that tells Clarice’s story and showcases our fantastic city. The city is no stranger to a film crew and to see our wonderful city on the big screen will be something quite special. The Colour Room is another fantastic example of what we in Stoke-on-Trent can offer to film and TV crews. It was fantastic to see that as well as filming taking place in local venues, local artists were also invited on board to work on the film.
“As well as being one of the UK’s most famous ceramicists, Clarice Cliff is also celebrated for how she revolutionised the workplace for women and blazed a trail for others to follow. She is synonymous not only with The Potteries, but also with the Art Deco movement and is now revered and collected all over the world. Films like this are an amazing boost for tourism and the local economy, and that’s why we love to shine a light on Stoke-on-Trent and promote it as a must-visit destination for projects like this.
“The Colour Room further highlights what an incredible city we have, and what wonderful cultural attractions there are for visitors that you can’t find anywhere else. I hope that Stokies and people right across the country will tune in this weekend or visit their local cinema to enjoy The Colour Room, I certainly can’t wait to see it. We’re also delighted to be able to say that the wonderful Gladstone Pottery Museum will be reopening to the public on Saturday 13 November 2021, the day after this film’s release.”
The Colour Room was showcased at the Mitchell Arts Centre, in Hanley. Tickets for 15th November were sold out straight away and an extra screening was added on 16th November.
Released one year ahead of the 50th anniversary of her death – Clarice died in October 1972 – the Sky Original movie is directed by Claire McCarthy (The Luminaries).
For a sneak peak, check out the movie trailer: https://bit.ly/3AFtwQS.
For more information on Stoke-on-Trent as a destination, see www.visitstoke.co.uk
For more information about Gladstone Museum, please go to: www.stokemuseums.org.uk/gpm
From Saturday 13 November 2021 the museum and shop will be open Tuesdays to Saturdays 10am – 4pm and the Gladstone Café will be open 11am – 3.30pm.
(Images Sky Cinema.)
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