Punjab to the Potteries: Writing Workshop with Sarah Bedi
As part of the Punjab to The Potteries project, Playwright Sarah Bedi wrote the new short play When You Ask. Newly commissioned by Appetite and New Vic Theatre, the play is inspired by the stories of people in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Sarah now wants to share that experience to inspire others in their creative writing endeavours. Sarah will share not only the process of drawing on real stories to create something new, she will also talk about the profound connections she felt during her research.
During the practical part of the evening, Sarah will guide you through exercises and techniques that you can use during your own writing process.
We are sure that Sarah’s unique perspective will give you some excellent know-how to help you find and craft your next story.
Please note that this is an introductory workshop. There will be no finished piece of work completed ion the evening.
Friday 17 November: Conversation and Q&A session with members of the project team covering concept, production, community engagement and next steps
Monday 20 November: Photography workshop with photographic artist Sam Ivin
You can also see the Punjab to the Potteries exhibition in Chapters Café until 25 November.
If you’d like future updates about Punjab to the Potteries direct to your inbox, email askus@appetite.org.uk or answer ‘Yes’ to the question when booking your ticket on Eventbrite.
Getting there
Parking is free on campus after 5pm every day during the week and all day on weekends. If you are planning on arriving before then, there is a small pay and display car park on Union Square but please note this does become very busy.
Access Chapters Cafe is fully accessible. There are a number of disabled parking bays in close proximity on Union Square car park. There is ramped and flat access from the car park to Chapters Cafe.
Parking is free on campus after 5pm every day during the week and all day on weekends. If you wish to visit on a week day during the day there is a small pay and display car park on Union Square but please note this does become very busy.
Access Chapters Cafe is fully accessible. There are a number of disabled parking bays in close proximity on Union Square car park. There is ramped and flat access from the car park to Chapters Cafe.
Punjab to the Potteries: An Exhibition at Keele University
Did you know that the Punjab to the Potteries exhibition is on at Keele University? First shown at New Vic Theatre in the run up to the play reading event of two newly commissioned short plays, the exhibition is currently on show in Chapters Cafe.
Punjab to the Potteries is a joint project between Appetite and New Vic. Two playwrights with strong ties to the South Asian community – Shahid Iqbal Khan and Sarah Bedi – were each commissioned to create a new 30-minute plays. The plays were researched and influenced by the memories and stories of people who were either born in the Punjab and migrated to The Potteries, or whose family made the journey and were born here. The plays were read by a cast during a celebration event at the theatre on 12 August 2023, which was a sell-out success.
As part of the project, photographic artist Sam Ivin created 23 portraits of the people who contributed their experiences as part of the research. During the process of taking the portraits, Sam took a keen interest in the sitter’s individual stories and used his conversations with them as the basis for the decorations that he hand painted onto each print. Tailored to each individual, they include colourful patterns and symbols inspired by Sikh images and Punjabi fashion.
If you’re interested in Sam’s artform, you can join him in a free workshop at Keele University as part of a series of events showcasing the practical processes and personal experiences of bringing a project like Punjab to the Potteries to life.
Monday 13 November: Sarah Bedi talk and introduction to writing. Sarah will discuss her connection with the stories she was told and how she found the experience of creating something new from them. She will then give audience members som exercises and techniques to help them begin their own writing journey
Friday 17 November: Members of the Punjab to the Potteries team, Gemma Thomas (Appetite director), Rasandeep Devgon (community engagement), Val Bansal (project originator), and Filiz Ozcan (play director) discuss the project, followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
Monday 20 November: Sam Ivin will give a brief introduction to his career as a photographic artist before taking audience members through practical exercises to capture portraits and work with the prints as art.
Booking by Eventbrite will be open soon so do please check back.
You can see the Punjab to the Potteries exhibition in Chapters Cafeuntil 25 November:
Monday – Friday: 7:30am – 6pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9:30am – 4pm
Parking is free on campus after 5pm every day during the week and all day on weekends. If you wish to visit on a week day during the day there is a small pay and display car park on Union Square but please note this does become very busy.
Access Chapters Cafe is fully accessible. There are a number of disabled parking bays in close proximity on Union Square car park. There is ramped and flat access from the car park to Chapters Cafe. Chapters Cafe is a public cafe so it can become busy with customers during a weekday; if you prefer a quieter time to visit we suggest after 5pm on a weekday or going along on the weekend.
PLEASE NOTE: This walk has been rescheduled from 4 November.
From November to March, artist Anna Francis is hosting a series of walks and workshops that discover more about the canal at Kidsgrove and its human and non-human neighbours. She looks forward to connecting with Kidsgrove people to find out what they love about the canal and how they use it now.
On the first walk, Anna would also love people to join who would like to be ‘human noticeboards’. A human noticeboard is an organiser, practitioner, maker or leader who has something great going on in Kidsgrove who would like to spend two minutes telling the rest of the group about it. Walkers can then find out more along the walk.
Other walks will have a different focus, such as foraging or exploring the art trail that will be installed by Staffordshire University students in March.
The first (rescheduled) walk takes place on Saturday 11 November 2023, 11am – 1pm. Anna will meet walkers at the lodge at the northern entrance to the Harecastle Tunnel (on the canal behind Kidsgrove Memorial Garden, towards Kidsgrove train station).
All the walks are free to join and you can turn up on the day, although Anna is encouraging people to register in advance via Eventbrite so she has an idea of numbers.
To have updates for future walks sent straight to your inbox, or to let us know of any access requirements, email askus@appetite.org.uk.
Show People of North Staffordshire Exhibition at New Vic Theatre
‘Show People of North Staffordshire’ is a project created to collect stories and record history. Developed by The Philip Astley Project and supported by Appetite, the project’s ultimate aim is to build a lasting archive of the circus and fair scene of North Staffordshire.
The exhibition includes historical photography, and newly commissioned images showcasing the families and performers still living and working in the scene today. You will also find it fascinating to listen to the ‘oral histories‘ and insights from the show people you can see in the photos. And members of the community have been sharing their own memories of enjoying the fairs and shows over the years. Plus, a QR code will take you to a map of current and past circus and fairground sites.
The exhibition was originally shown in our Newcastle Common space, and included memorabilia and a series of films and talks. The hope is that the full exhibition will someday be on permanent display within the town centre. For now, there is a second opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of show people as the exhibition will be on display at New Vic Theatre until October 21st.
We encourage all visitors to help build the archive! Have you worked on the fun fair? Do you have childhood memories of the circus coming to town? Have we missed a location off the map? We’d love you to hear from you! Leave your comments in the box at the exhibition and help build the local history of showmen and women that began nearly 300 years ago.
Why is the history of show people important to North Staffs?
Born in Newcastle-under-Lyme in 1742, Philip Astley is considered the father of modern circus. He was a master equestrian, military hero, and showman. Astley developed the 42-foot diameter circus ring, still the standard size used in circus across the world.
The Philip Astley Project celebrates Astley in his home town and beyond. With support from National Lottery players and sponsorship from businesses and individuals in the Newcastle community, The Philip Astley Project works with local organisations to develop talks, exhibitions and events. In 2023, Astley’s Homecoming brought circus home to Newcastle Town Centre with a family day full of free circus entertainment and activities.
We’ll be bringing the delicious mix of FREE* performance, music and dance back to the streets of the city centre (Hanley). Come along on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 August from 11am to 5pm and dig in! You can see the full line-up for both days and a map in our digital brochure.
What’s else can you see and do when visiting The Big Feast?
Ode to Nana is a Kwanzaa Collective UK* exhibition by Jioni Warner in celebration of Windrush 75. It explores the ideas of legacy, struggle, and change. As the granddaughter of a woman who was part of the generation of Caribbean’s who answered Britain’s call for workers, this exhibition reflects on the British Caribbean experience placing Black women at the forefront!.
Dressing the Royals by Cosprop Costumeries | Tickets £5, concessions £3, children under 16’s free
This exhibition features costumes from film and TV spanning over 400 years of royal fashion, highlighting period styles from the 16th to the 20th century worn by kings and queens. The display will include a gown from ‘Elizabeth’ starring Cate Blanchett, ‘The Kings Speech’ and the Netflix series ‘The Crown’. The exhibition is supplemented with items from the museums own collection celebrating years of royal history and include the ceremonial robes of Lord and Lady Bagot worn to the Coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953.
Inspired by the 150th anniversary of the publication in 1873 of the adventure novel, Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne, our family-friendly summer exhibition, explores the museum’s wonderful doll collection. The exhibition will showcase dolls collected by Mrs Elsie Maud Young who was the great grand-daughter of William Turner, one of the well-known Turner family pottery manufacturers in Staffordshire. She visited countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Pacific, the Caribbean and Americas, collecting a great number of souvenirs including dolls from each place she visited. Many of these dolls, dressed in their national costume or regional dress, form the basis of Elsie’s collection which the museum acquired in 1965. Around the World in 80 Dolls promises to be a treat for all ages!
Since September 2022, people across England have been sharing their high street photos with Historic England on Instagram as part of Picturing High Streets, a project to celebrate and document the high street of today. The collection presents a snapshot of a year in the life of the English high street, documenting and celebrating the people, places and stories it holds.
Shop windows featuring 60 winning images are on display at Level 5 at The Potteries Centre and Lamb Street in the city centre, opening as part of Appetite’s festival The Big Feast Festival.
The exhibition will also feature Natalie Willatt’s images, developed with the local community as part of a photographic residency in Stoke.
Northen Soul All-Nighter at The Kings Hall by Natealie Willatt
WORKSHOPS
Friday 25 August
Circus Flavours presented by Upswing and New Vic Theatre | Free
Have you ever dreamt of joining the circus? Now you can! Watch daring acts performed by some of the UK’s most talented circus artists then have a go yourself in the workshop. Workshops are are taught on an aerial hoop and are suitable for ages 7+.
Join Zimbabwean fine artist Munya and paint your very own Caribbean sunset in this fun painting workshop. No experience needed. All materials provided. Part of the LEGACY: A Windrush 75 Programme from Kwanzaa Collective UK*
Immerse yourself in an interactive storytelling experience themed around one of the greatest folk heroes and tricksters from West African and Caribbean folklore: Anansi the Spider. The session also includes an upcycled doll-making workshop. No experience needed. All materials provided. Part of the LEGACY: A Windrush 75 Programme from Kwanzaa Collective UK*
Potteries Museum & Art Gallery | 2.30 – 4.30pm
Sunset Painting with MunyaAnansi Storytelling with Diana
Join Kwanzaa Collective artists and Deb Rogers of the Cultural Sisters to make your own costume in this fun, family friendly Carnival Arts workshop. Then at 3pm join the LEGACY Parade with Kaya Caribbean Quenn from Fountain Square to the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery. Part of the LEGACY: A Windrush 75 Programme from Kwanzaa Collective UK*
Fountain Square | 11am – 1pm
Circus Flavours presented by Upswing and New Vic Theatre | Free
Have you ever dreamt of joining the circus? Now you can! Watch daring acts performed by some of the UK’s most talented circus artists then have a go yourself in the workshop. Workshops are are taught on an aerial hoop and are suitable for ages 7+.
Featured – local art showcase and FREE creative activities
Equinox by Mo Al-Daami
Portrait by Ethan Lemon
Appetite and ArtsKeele present Featured 23. Featured is a collection of wonderful artworks created by artists from across Staffordshire and Shropshire and were all recently part of the Three Counties Exhibition 2023 on show at Burslem School of Art.
All the pieces on show as part of Featured are exhibition award winners and nominees, including first and second place in the Appetite Audience Choice Award, and includes a range of paintings, photography, collage and sculpture. The Audience Choice Award entries were nominated by Appetite’s Supper Club, our community decision-maker, and was awarded after a public vote.
Artist in Residence
One of the artists exhibiting as part of Featured is also our Artist in Residence, working in the space and creating work on site. Charné Visser is a South African artist who immigrated to the UK in 2019. Her work explores themes of identity and representation through portraiture, experimenting with composition, various painting mediums and applications. Charné will be working on a series of mixed media, expressive portraits as part of her residency. Sh will be your guide through the creative activities and is happy to chat about her work.
Free creative activities
Do YOU have what it takes to be one of the artists on display at the Featured exhibition? Of course you do! Come join in the activities with artist in residence, Charné, and show your creativity alongside artists from the Three Counties Exhibition. All the activities are free to join (donations welcome) and all materials will be provided. No experience necessary.
Community work of art
Charné invites you all to add your unique mark to a collaborative work of art: a large-scale portrait covering the walls created by visitors to the exhibition.
The theme of the piece is identity, because being creative together helps us see different view points and appreciate different stories.
Greetings card workshops
On Friday and Saturday each week you can join a workshop creating a greetings card to show someone you care. There are also activity sheets to colour created by artists.
Opening
Featured is on display in Newcastle Town Centre at Newcastle Common, 23 High Street, ST5 1QZ (Red Lion Square by the war memorial).
Join us every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11am to 3pm, between the 9th and 30th September.
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We’ll be bringing the delicious mix of FREE* performance, music and dance back to the streets of the city centre (Hanley). Come along on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 August from 11am to 5pm and dig in! You can see the full line-up for both days and a map in our digital brochure. And don’t miss the exhibitions and workshops that you can enjoy too!
What’s #OnTheMenu for the Piccadilly Stage at The Big Feast?
Supersonic Kids Gig by Capsule
Friday 25 August
Local and Liveby Kwanzaa Collective UK*| 11am – 12pm
After its success at this year’s Six Towns Carnival, Local and Live returns for The Big Feast. Join us between 11-12.30 for 90 minutes of pure joy.
Big Gay Disco Bike by Fatts Project| 12pm – 12.30pm
A feel-good, pop-up, big, gay disco performed with a bike!
Potteries Poet by Nick Degg | 12.45 – 1.15pm
Nick Degg is a published Potteries poet who performs all over the UK. He takes his subject matter from the mundanity of everyday life, but sprinkles it with love, compassion and big dollops of humour. He may even perform a poem without any words. The question is … will you hear it?
Supersonic Kids Gig by Capsule | 12 – 2.30pm
Big sounds for little people. And introduction to live experimental music.
Big Gay Disco Bike by Fatts Project| 3.30pm – 4pm
A feel-good, pop-up, big, gay disco performed with a bike!
PIPTV by Portland Inn Project | 4pm – 5pm
A brand new Neighbourhood TV Show written by and starring residents from the Portland Street community.
FRONTLINEdance share a variety of joyful pop-up performances of dance, song, music and spoken word inspired by and co-created with the diverse community of Stoke-on-Trent.
You can also find them in Fountain Square | 12.05 – 12.20 & 1.20 – 1.25pm
Silent Choir by dDeaflinks | 11.25 – 11.55am
dDeaflinks Silent Choir was created to help fundraise for the charity. The choir is made up of profoundly deaf members. To ensure they follow the music, they are led by the only hearing choir member.
Capoeira Workshop with Mestre Piolho| 12.05 – 1pm
Try the vibrant and culturally rich art form developed in Brazil that’s also good for your heart, strength and flexibility
Indian Classical Dance by Dharshanodiyaa school of Bharathanatiyam | 1.10 – 1.40pm
By blending traditional dance with modern music, Dharshanodiyaa create a dynamic and engaging experience for the audience alive with cultural heritage. This fusion bridges the gap between the past and the present, offering a fresh perspective on a traditional art form.
Scratch Performances by ArtsHill Performers | 1.50 – 2.50pm
The B arts Volunteer Performer Group, ArtsHill, are really looking forward to presenting original sketches, performances, spoken word poetry, monologues and more! There is an Easy Read document for this performance.
Marimba Band by Otto and the Mutapa Calling | 3.30 – 5pm
Otto and the Mutapa Calling are a colourful marimba band playing energetic, joyful music from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana, including folk songs, original songs and popular southern African covers.
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FRONTLINEdanceOtto and the Mutapa Calling Marimba BandDharshanodiyaa school of BharathanatiyamArtsHill Volunteer Performers
MORE INFO
All daytime performances are family friendly and wheelchair accessible.
We’re bringing the delicious mix of FREE* performance, music and dance back to the streets of the city centre (Hanley). Come along on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 August from 11am to 5pm and dig in! To see the map and full schedule including access for both days, take a look at the brochure.
General information about the event can be found in Easy Read format available here in Word or PDF.
Listen to the Audio Guide for The Big Feast below:
Watch our BSL interpreted introduction to The Big Feast below:
PERFORMANCES
Friday 25 August
Teabreak by Trigger
Follow the journey of tea across continents and centuries, onto our shores and into our teapots with a transportive audio piece and Kathak dance performance.
There will be a captioned film that’s available via QR code at the show or through an iPad that the performer provides.
Crown Bank |AD and BSL interpreted performance at 11am – 11.40am & 4pm – 4.40pm
Listen to the Audio Introduction for Teabreak below:
Falconry Dismay by Dizzy O’Dare
Showcasing the extraordinary talents of three majestic birds of prey and their expert handler.
Outside Halifax | AD and BSL interpreted performances at 12pm – 12.30pm & 2.45pm – 3.15pm
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Eau de Memoirby Miss High Leg Kick | Explore the rich experiences and memories evoked by smells in a show that celebrates our oldest sense. Artists will present live ‘perfumances’ with smell-along fragrances bringing memories of places and times to life.
Fountain Square Stage | Touch Tours at 12.15pm – 12.30pm & 3pm – 3.15pm (Audio Described) | AD and BSL interpreted performance at 12.30pm – 1.10pm | AD performance at 3.15pm – 3.55pm
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Mughal Minaturesby Sonia Sabri
A fun and upbeat outdoor performance event for all the family, which celebrates and takes inspiration from the exquisite traditional art of Indian and Persian miniature painting.
Fountain Square | Audio Described performances at 2.20pm – 2.40pm & 4.40pm – 5pm
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Big Gay Disco Bikeby Fatts Project
A feel-good, pop-up, big, gay disco performed with a bike!
Fountain Square Stage | Performance at 1.50pm – 2.20pm
Listen to the Audio Introduction for Big Gay Disco Bike below:
Hippochondriacby Thingumajig Theatre
Part animal and part mechanical, Hieronymus the hippo is feeling under the weather. Fortunately, his companion doctor/mechanic is only too eager to show you what’s under the bonnet to diagnose the problem. What follows is an array of puppet shows built into the troubled creature revealing the origin of his malaise.
Listen to the Audio Introduction for Hippochondriac below:
Ear Trumpetby Gobbledegook
Ear Trumpet is about listening. It’s about the sound under the ground. The noises that you would miss if you didn’t listen for them. A team of sonic investigators have managed to track an exceptional auditory occurrence, which they have discovered, runs under the ground. Eons worth of sound, both ancient and modern, is harmonically bound together, trapped inside our ancient rocks. Occasionally these sounds bubble up and erupt to the surface.
Outside Potteries Museum & Art Gallery | Performances at 11am – 1pm & 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Listen to the Audio Introduction for Ear Trumpet below:
Circus Flavourspresented by Upswing and New Vic Theatre
Have you ever dreamt of joining the circus? Now you can! Watch daring acts performed by some of the UK’s most talented circus artists.
Bethesda Gardens | AD performance at 4.15pm – 4.35pm
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Piccadilly Stage – Friday
Local and Live by Kwanzaa Collective UK*| 11am – 12.30pm
After its success at this year’s Six Towns Carnival, Local and Live returns for The Big Feast. Join us between 11-12.30 for 90 minutes of pure joy.
Potteries Poet by Nick Degg | 12.45 – 1.15pm
Nick Degg is a published Potteries poet who performs all over the UK. He takes his subject matter from the mundanity of everyday life, but sprinkles it with love, compassion and big dollops of humour. He may even perform a poem without any words. The question is … will you hear it?
Supersonic Kids Gig by Capsule | AD & BSL 2 – 3.30pm
Big sounds for little people. And introduction to live experimental music.
PIPTV by Portland Inn Project |BSL 3.45 – 5pm
A brand-new Neighbourhood TV Show written by and starring residents from the Portland Street community.
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Saturday 26 August
Falconry Dismayby Dizzy O’Dare
Showcasing the extraordinary talents of three majestic birds of prey and their expert handler.
Outside Halifax | AD and BSL interpreted performances at 11.30am – 12pm & 1.30pm – 2pm
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UNBOXED by Linden Dance Company
UNBOXED is an explosive outdoor duet in which the dancers set themselves in opposition to two giant wooden cubes in a physical representation of their battle with prejudice and judgment.
Fountain Square Stage | AD performance at 12.30pm – 1pm
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Timelessby Joli Vyann
Joli Vyann use their unique dare devil style of dance, circus and theatre on a 7m-high rotating hourglass, to tell the poignant story of our relationship with climate change.
Outside Potteries Museum and Art Gallery | AD and BSL interpreted performances at 1pm – 1.30pm & 3.30pm – 4pm
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Katumba
A melting pot of UK club music and the carnivals of Northeast Brazil–Katumba Drumming & Movement create an explosion of rhythmic revelry described by onlookers as ‘hypnotic’, ‘transfixing’ and ‘empowering’, with Brazilian drums, spectacular choreography and a colossal sound setting streets and stages ablaze!
Blue Clock | Performance at 1pm – 1.30pm Fountain Square Stage | Performance at 3.25pm – 3.55pm
Listen to the Audio Introduction for Katumba below:
Ear Trumpetby Gobbledegook
Ear Trumpet is about listening. It’s about the sound under the ground. The noises that you would miss if you didn’t listen for them. A team of sonic investigators have managed to track an exceptional auditory occurrence, which they have discovered, runs under the ground. Eons worth of sound, both ancient and modern, is harmonically bound together, trapped inside our ancient rocks. Occasionally these sounds bubble up and erupt to the surface.
Outside Potteries Museum & Art Gallery | Performances at 11am – 1pm & 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Listen to the Audio Introduction for Ear Trumpet below:
Hippochondriacby Thingumajig Theatre
Part animal and part mechanical, Hieronymus the hippo is feeling under the weather. Fortunately, his companion doctor/mechanic is only too eager to show you what’s under the bonnet to diagnose the problem. What follows is an array of puppet shows built into the troubled creature revealing the origin of his malaise.
FRONTLINEdance share a variety of joyful pop-up performances of dance, song, music and spoken word inspired by and co-created with the diverse community of Stoke-on-Trent.
You can also find them in Fountain Square | 12.05 – 12.20 & 1.20 – 1.25pm
Silent Choir by dDeaflinks | 11.25 – 11.55am
dDeaflinks Silent Choir was created to help fundraise for the charity. The choir is made up of profoundly deaf members. To ensure they follow the music, they are led by the only hearing choir member.
Capoeira Workshop with Mestre Piolho| 12.05 – 1pm
Try the vibrant and culturally rich art form developed in Brazil that’s also good for your heart, strength and flexibility
Indian Classical Dance by Dharshanodiyaa school of Bharathanatiyam | 1.10 – 1.40pm
By blending traditional dance with modern music, Dharshanodiyaa resent cultural heritage while creating a dynamic and engaging experience for the audience. This fusion bridges the gap between the past and the present, offering a fresh perspective on a traditional art form.
Scratch Performances by ArtsHill Performers | BSL 1.50 – 2.50pm
The B arts Volunteer Performer Group, ArtsHill, are really looking forward to presenting original sketches, performances, spoken word poetry, monologues and more! There is an Easy Read document for this performance.
Marimba Band by Otto and the Mutapa Calling | 3.30 – 5pm
Otto and the Mutapa Calling are a colourful marimba band playing energetic, joyful music from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Botswana, including folk songs, original songs and popular southern African covers.
Our AppetiteEvent Stewards will be wearing blue Appetite clothing and will be happy to offer directions and event information.
TOILETS
Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available at Hanley Indoor Market, Hanley Library, Hanley Bus Station, Potteries Centre and Tesco Extra.
Changing Places toilets are available at Hanley Indoor Market and Smithfield 1.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
All of the performances taking place at Big Feast are wheelchair accessible.
BLUE BADGE PARKING
2 hours free parking at Tesco Extra, Hanley
Free parking with a Blue Badge at:
Charles St – on street parking (26 spaces)
Meigh Street (25 spaces)
Pall Mall (14 blue badge spaces)
Paid parking can be found at:
John St (13 blue badge spaces)
Smithfield MSCP (32 blue badge spaces)
The Potteries Centre (67 spaces)
AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCES
Audio Description will be available at the event. An Audio Description Kit can be signed out from one of our Appetite HQs. Check next to performance details above for times AD performance times.
ASSISTANCE DOGS
Assistance dogs are welcome in the city centre.
NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES
Noise cancelling headphones will be available from the Appetite HQ. You can sign these out and return them once you have used them.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMING
Please note that we will have photography and filmmaking taking place throughout the event. If you do not wish to be captured on film, please make sure to let one of the Event Stewards know so that we can inform the crew members.
Our events take place in public spaces and are attended by large numbers of the public who will take their own photos. Appetite is not in control of all photographs and videos taken at the event, only the official photographers.
If you have any questions about access at Big Feast, please email craig@appetite.org.uk or call 01782 381373.
Check out our social media pages for more details in the run up to the event. Don’t already follow us on socials? Here’s where to find us:
Punk Alley I Mitchell Arts Centre, Broad Street, Hanley I Saturday 26 August I 11am & 2.30pm (run time 50 mins)
VIVA LA PUNK!
Punk Alley is a loud, wild, and unapologetic joyride of live original punk music and high energy dance. But don’t leave your adults at home – this is a punk show for everyone.
Enter the world of the Lazurr Tuts, a world-famous, foot stomping punk band made up of misfits and outcasts with a mission: to help you free your inner anarchist and celebrate the joys of being you. Dance, sing, shout, whisper, stomp, spin, sign and shake on a journey of self-expression – because what you have to say to the world is important!
Get your tickets to this very special show for FREE and donate what you decide at the theatre!
Need more info? You can find performance, content and access details below. And this 90-second trailer you a great idea what you might see and hear on the day.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE SHOW
Lazurr Tuts are a punk band! So in the show, they’ll be playing live music. There will be loud noises from guitars, drums, singing and speakers.
This performance is aimed at children aged 5+. However, Punk Alley is suitable for the whole familyincluding younger children, but some elements may be most engaging for those aged 5 and over.
Everyone is invited to participate in creating songs, writing placards, and playing music. But you can participate, or not participate, in any way you choose. There is no pressure.
This is a relaxed performance, so you can get up, go to the loo, stim, make noise, whatever you need to do.
The show will be 50 minutes long. There is no interval, but as it’s a relaxed performance, please feel free to get up, leave, and come back, whatever you need!
Screens on stage will display the lyrics to the songs in written English. There will also be water-based haze on stage.
In the final song ‘Foot Flowers’, there will be a flower petal drop, where flowers will fall gently and quietly from up high onto the band onstage.
At times there will be bright lights, and sometimes the stage will go dark (but not completely). In the beginning of the show the band will show you how loud they go, and how bright and dark it will be.
There will be BSL interpretation throughout the show. Audio Description will also be available. You will be asked when you book your ticket whether you would like a wheelchair space inside the theatre. There will be ear defenders available, but just in case there’s not enough to go around, please do bring your own if you have them.
ADDITIONAL ACCESS SUPPORT
There will be a pre-show access and orientation session beginning 30 minutes before each performance, led by the company’s support worker, Neelam. You can experience the set and costumes, hear the loudest part of the music and see the brightest lights, and take your seats before the rest of the audience.
There will also be post-show support in the foyer where Neelam will be on hand to discuss anything that may have come up during the performance. Both sessions are drop-in and free of charge.
CONTENT
Punk Alley directly engages with children and asks for their thoughts, questions and ideas about the world around them. Themes and issues that may arise in the show:
– Climate change
– Disability
– LGBTQIA+ identities
– Race
– Politics
– Family and friends
WHAT DO AUDIENCES THINK?
‘We LOVED Punk Alley this afternoon. It made me cry, it was so nice! Love the words and sentiment in all the songs, so joyful and vibrant and generally great. Every child should see this show. Thank you so much.’
‘Woweeee just blown away by your talent and energy. We absolutely loved it. Tears and the hugest smiles.’
‘It’s beautiful. I cannot get over it. The words and songs are beautiful.’
‘We had a great time at Punk Alley today. My kids (12 and 10) loved the show. Although we don’t have any particular needs such as sign language we all enjoyed the relaxed and inclusive environment, and we had a lot of interesting conversations about rules and leadership on the train home!’
To see the map and full schedule for both days of The Big Feast 23, take a look at the brochure.
Photographic artist Sam Ivin has created 23 portraits of people from the Punjabi community in Stoke-on-Trent, and you can view them now at the New Vic Theatre.
Each person featured has shared their story as part of Punjab to the Potteries, a joint project from Appetite and the New Vic to commission two new short plays inspired by the journeys of local people whose families began their story in the Punjab region before settling in The Potteries.
During the process of taking the portraits, Sam took a keen interest in the sitter’s individual stories and used his conversations with them as the basis for the decorations that he hand painted onto each print. Tailored to each individual, they include colourful patterns and symbols inspired by Sikh images and Punjabi fashion.
You may recognise Sam’s work from the Settling photography project he created as part of The Big Feast 2017. That exhibition, delivered in partnership with GRAIN Projects, documented the stories of those who have migrated from around the world to establish lives in the Stoke-on-Trent area. It went on to have subsequent showings at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, and Keele University.
Alongside these portraits are three series of images by Val Bansal, who first approached Appetite with the idea behind the Punjab to the Potteries. One selection of images is from the family photo albums of Val’s father, Baldev Bansal, showcasing his family’s history from his origins in the Punjab up to the modern day. It was these photos that inspired the idea behind the project.
Val said: “Punjab to the Potteries was an idea that came about when sorting out old photos at home. Looking at them sort of inspired me in a way as it opened an abundance of questions of what it must have been like living in a small village in Punjab and travelling half way around the world to Stoke-on-Trent in the early 1960s to settle: how hard or difficult the journey was, leaving family behind, learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, education and work, food – the list is endless. There must be countless stories and memories as well as many more photos in numerous households of people and families who took a similar journey.”
Another set of images Val has captured is around the raising of the Nishan Sahib – or Sikh flag – at two local Gurdwaras as part of the spring Vaisakhi festival, which takes place on 13th or 14th April each year. And the third image series capture the local Punjabi community, including some of playwright Sarah Bedi’s initial visits with community groups while researching her play.
These community conversations have formed the main body of research that the two playwrights involved in the project – Shahid Iqbal Khan (Love Across the Ages, BBC Radio 4, 2022) and Sarah Bedi (The Process, The Bunker Theatre, 2023) – based their plays on. If you are interested in how those plays turned out, we would like to invite you to a play reading and celebration event at New Vic Theatre on Saturday 12 August where the two new plays will be read in the auditorium by actors. We very much hope that they will go into full production at some future date.
For more information about the celebration event go to the event listing, and book now to secure your free tickets.
You can see the Punjab to the Potteries exhibition upstairs at the New Vic Monday – Saturday, 10am – 3pm until 14 August.
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