A stage adaptation of a classic novel by Stoke-on Trent author Arnold Bennett, is to be presented in Stoke ahead of a national tour.

Claybody Theatre have announced that a production of The Grand Babylon Hotel, which performed to sell out audiences in September, will return to Stoke next February before heading to Yorkkshire.

The show, produced by the New Vic Theatre in association with Claybody Theatre, will open at The Dipping House, a theatre venue at the old Spode Works site in Stoke, after receiving funding from Arts Council England to support a remount and tour in 2026.

Director Conrad Nelson said: "We loved making this show at the New Vic and I'm delighted that we can now share it with our audiences at The Dipping House.

"We are also very pleased to have secured additional financial support from Arts Council England for our tour.

"Many people travel to Stoke to see a Claybody production, so it's great to be able to take a show to them – and to find new audiences for our work."

The Grand Babylon Hotel by local writer, Arnold Bennett, is a comedy thriller featuring kidnapping and murder after wealthy American heiress, Nella Racksole, convinces her father to buy her a hotel.

Co-artistic Director of Claybody, Deborah McAndrew, who has adapted The Grand Babylon for the stage, says: "When I first read the book, I knew it would make a really fun stage show.

"Then all the talents of the actors and designers, Conrad's direction and James Atherton's music, took my script to another level.

"Audiences told us how much they loved the show at the New Vic and I'm thrilled that it's getting another life so quickly."

Several local critics wrote positive reviews of the show following its run at the New Vic (13 September to 4 October).

A critic from Ba Baboon gave the production five stars and described the show as a "fun-filled, whirlwind of mayhem and chaos".

Another critic from Stoke is where the heart also gave the production five stars and said: "A sensational, utterly bonkers, really funny play."

The Grand Babylon Hotel will be performed at The Dipping House from 27 February to 7 March 2026, before heading to Hull Truck Theatre, SJT Scarborough, Mercury Theatre Colchester and finishing in April at Harrogate Theatre.

Tickets are now on sale from Claybody Theatre and a full cast announcement will be made soon.