STOKED TO BE ON THE NEW VIC STAGE
STOKED TO BE ON THE NEW VIC STAGE
4th June 2025
This May, the New Vic Theatre will produce the world premiere production of Whatever Happened to Phoebe Salt by Arthur Berry.
Set in the heart of Burslem, this gritty original drama forms the centrepiece of a year-long programme of events marking the centenary of the acclaimed Stoke-on-Trent-born playwright, poet, artist and broadcaster and features an almost entirely local cast!
Stoke-on-Trent native Isabella Rossi, from Blythe Bridge, will make her professional debut in the titular role of Phoebe Salt, alongside Matthew David Jones, also from Stoke-on-Trent, making his professional debut as Tommy Frizzell.
We spoke to Isabella and Matthew about how excited they are to be making their professional debuts in this landmark production…
Isabella: “It’s an honour, a real privilege. I feel like Matthew and I are similar in the sense that we’re proud to be Stokies. I shout about it a lot. I absolutely love being a Stokie. And it’s such a momentous occasion to celebrate Arthur and give a fresh light on his work for a new audience. It’s still relatable and there is so much depth to his writing just like there is in real life. Plus, it’s based on our people and our community. To make this production come to life, for an audience that’s going to relate to it is really special and I can’t wait for people to see it.”
Matthew, who grew up in Kidsgrove, added: “I think just bringing it to life, because it’s not been done before, is a really special experience for us all. We’re telling a story of Stoke at our theatre, and I think people will enjoy watching a play that feels familiar to them. There’s definitely characters in here, that I know…”
Isabella: “Yeah, like those people you know, or your parents might know, or those characters you recognise when you come face-to-face.”
Matthew: “…or it’s your auntie but it isn’t your auntie.”
Isabella: “Definitely! There’s plenty of nostalgia too which I think will really resonate with local people.”
Both Isabella and Matthew are making the professional debuts, though Matthew has a long history with the New Vic. He explained:
“I came out of school and had no idea what to do. It was my mum actually that said why don’t you do Performing Arts to get some confidence. And I thought okay, may as well. So, I went to Stoke-on-Trent Burslem campus, it’s not there anymore, and I was there for five years. But I was lucky enough to get some stage experience with the New Vic in the BorderlinesDepartment. I was able to do backstage work too, and I worked on the bar and in the car park… I’ve done pretty much all the jobs here.
And then, because of Covid I went into doing retail for a bit. I was stacking shelves one day and thought… wow I miss performing, I really miss it. So, I messaged my mate, and I said, ‘I don’t know what to do’, and he said ‘apply for every drama school going, you’ve got enough money to do it, just do it’. And so, I did it, and got into this conservatoire, and now I’m here.”
Isabella described her acting journey:
“I was always interested in musicals – it was Highschool Musical that first inspired me in 2008!
I joined a couple of amateur groups in my teens – I went to the Jills Clewes Academy group in Bradwell, Trafford Musical Theatre, and then I went to Italy and did Theatre and Education. I stayed out there for a few years and thought I was going to be an English teacher, but changed my mind and wanted to try acting again, so I came back… I got in at GSA (Guilford School of Acting), and thought, well if it’s meant to be I’ll go, and now here I am.
This is my first time working at the New Vic. I used to come when I was younger to see lots of different things, and I remember a couple of years ago I came to see Jane Eyrewith my mum and I thought… I want to be Jane Eyre! I have always enjoyed coming to watch plays here, but never worked at the New Vic. It’s such a nice environment.”
Summarising how it feels to be working on this production Isabella said:
“I feel so lucky, every day is a pinch me moment. You walk in, and think oh my gosh, I can’t believe this. It’s really liberating also to perform in our own accents and not be asked to do a different accent for once. We should celebrate our background – who we are, what we’ve done and what we are about to do. To be able to do that with our own voices is so special.”
Matthew added: “people should definitely go back to their roots and come to see this play because it supports our local community – the stories we’re telling are part of our history so why not honour that?”
Whatever Happened to Phoebe Salt premieres at the New Vic from Saturday 31 May – Saturday 21 June 2025. For more information visit newvictheatre.org.uk.
Photo Gallery
Mathew David Jones Credit Andrew Billington
