YOUTH THEATRE MEMBERS IGNITE MEMORIES OF STOKE HISTORY IN STOKE THE FIERY DRAGON
YOUTH THEATRE MEMBERS IGNITE MEMORIES OF STOKE HISTORY IN STOKE THE FIERY DRAGON
2nd July 2025
Two members of the New Vic Youth Theatre, alongside members of the Education team, have develop an immersive performance designed to bring history to life. Stoke the Fiery Dragon, written by Education Practitioner Julia Gay, is a whistlestop journey through the amazing events Stoke-on-Trent has witnessed since 1925 and celebrates 100 years since Stoke-on-Trent became a city.
The piece, which toured to schools earlier this year, includes two playful characters: potters ‘Clay and Mold’, portrayed by Naomi Johnson and Scarlett Burnham. On a mission to bring back their beloved pet dragon’s puff, the performance explores significant stories and historical events such as remembering the Lidice Shall Live appeal launched in 1942, as well as King George V and Queen Mary’s visit to confer the Royal Charter, elevating the Borough to the status of a City in 1925. The story also includes references to people such as Ann Margaret Savous Shirley, born in Stoke-on-Trent and best known for being a historian of the Polar Exploration in both the Arctic and Antarctic in 1960.
Julia Gay said:, ‘It has been an absolute joy to create an immersive and educational piece of theatre which allows audiences to relive such enchanting and important events from the area in the last 100 years, particularly via those people who made these stories a reality, contributing to the continued strong sense of community that Stoke-on-Trent is still known for. Watching Naomi Johnson and Scarlett Burnham create such beautiful performances, and the subsequent excitement from the young people watching has been a truly wonderful and special experience.’
Actor Naomi Johnson, who plays Clay in this production, said: “It’s been a fun and challenging experience seeing what goes into a professional run of performances. Doing four shows a day can sometimes get quite tiring, but it’s always worth it when you see the look of joy on each child’s face.”
Fellow performer Scarlett Burnham, who portrays the character of Mold, added: “From our rehearsal and workshopping process to touring the show around local schools, it has been so much fun! Me and Naomi had an excellent team to support us, and Julia’s written a really beautiful piece of theatre which it’s been a joy bringing to life.”
New Vic Education Theatre Practitioner Department Deputy, Becky Salt, said: ‘The response to Stoke the Fiery Dragon has been nothing short of magical — seeing the joy, curiosity, and pride it sparks in young audiences has been a real highlight of this centenary celebration. After such a fantastic first run, we’re thrilled to be taking the show to even more schools and to the Festival of Brilliant, where over 800 young people will get the chance to join Clay, Mold, and Stoke on their journey through the city’s rich history. It’s a joyful, meaningful way to mark 100 years of Stoke-on-Trent, and we can’t wait to keep sharing it far and wide!’
Stoke the Fiery Dragon will be performed at Outside Arts Festival of Brilliant in Biddulph on Friday 11 July for schools and Saturday 12 July for children of all ages and their families. Celebrating the power of stories and books, you can book your tickets for the Festival Of Brilliant here.
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Sutherland Primary Acedemy- Credit Andrew Billington (42)
