New Vic and Partners launch Arthur Berry 100
The New Vic Theatre, alongside partners Barewall Gallery, Arthur Wood Estate, Victoria Theatre Archive, Claybody Theatre, Keele University, Three Counties Open Art Exhibition, Staffordshire Film Archive and Appetite Stoke will celebrate the life and work of a Stoke-on-Trent cultural icon in 2025, with Arthur Berry 100.
Officially launched on 7 February, on what would have been Arthur Berry’s 100th birthday, the special programme of events also coincides with the centenary celebrations of Stoke-on-Trent becoming a city.
Arthur Berry 100 will be the most comprehensive compendium of Berry’s work to date and will include a series of celebration events that will showcase the artist’s breadth of work, including exhibitions, the sharing of previously unseen footage and photography from his life, the world premiere of his last play and opportunities to engage in creative activity to bring his legacy to life. The local community will be encouraged to recall their own memories of Berry’s work as part of an open archive set up as a legacy to the project, and a storybook illustrated with Arthur Berry paintings will be gifted to every school in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
(Main image: Arthur And Cast at the Victoria Theatre permission from Victoria Theatre Archive.)
One of Stoke-on-Trent’s most famous cultural icons, Arthur Berry created original poetry, plays and artworks that were rooted in the local culture of North Staffordshire and depicted aspects of 20th Century working class life in a way rarely seen before or since.
Whilst much of his work is held between the Arthur Berry Estate (managed by Barewall Gallery), his producer Arthur Wood and in the New Vic’s Victoria Theatre Archive, a significant portion of his material exists in fragile physical form, in private ownership. Made possible thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players, Arthur Berry 100 will catalogue and recapture works from the artist’s collection with a view to creating an open archive, ensuring Berry’s legacy does not disappear from the public domain.
Theresa Heskins, Artistic Director of the New Vic said: “Arthur Berry is Stoke-on-Trent’s ‘Lowry’: an observer of ordinary lives lived in an industrial landscape. Thanks to The Heritage Fund and National Lottery players, Arthur Berry 100 will enable us to bring the collection of this incredible artist’s work into the public domain, offering audiences the chance to discover his work for the first time, or revisit his work with fresh eyes, ensuring his legacy is not lost for future generations. Alongside our project partners, this programme of work will celebrate the unique voice of Arthur Berry, his extraordinary life and his contribution to art, literature and culture”.
Amanda Bromley from Barewall Gallery said: “Arthur Berry’s legacy will be accessible for all to study, discover and revel in, and I’m beyond delighted. With the help of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are able to deliver the Arthur Berry 100 celebration events across the region, attracting people from all over the country. An artist, poet and playwright who is famous for his captivating work of working-class culture in the 20th century Potteries, Berry’s work is just as relevant today as it was then and will touch the hearts and souls of those who engage.”
Arthur Berry 100 will contribute to celebrations for SOT100 – a year of activity to mark the centenary of Stoke-on-Trent being awarded official city status that will shine a light on the heritage and cultural identity of the city and the area, affectionately known as The Potteries.
For more information about Arthur Berry 100, including what’s coming up during 2025, visit arthurberry100.co.uk
