Performance bringing Stoke-on-Trent history to life heading to local libraries this half term
By Liana Snape 13th Feb 2026
A free immersive performance bringing Stoke-on-Trent's history to life will be touring Staffordshire libraries this half term.
'Stoke The Fiery Dragon', presented by the New Vic Theatre's Education team, will be performed at Hanley Library, Bentilee Library and Meir Library from Friday 20 to Saturday 21 February to encourage audiences to engage with Stoke-on-Trent's industrial heritage and give prominence to local voices and local stories.
This follows a successful tour of the show to schools and the community as part of the SOT100 anniversary celebrations that took place throughout 2025.
A spokesperson for New Vic Education said: "Aimed at young children and their families, the performance offers a whistlestop journey through some amazing events that the city of Stoke-on-Trent has witnessed over the last century."
Written by Education Practitioner Julia Gay and directed by Naomi Felton, 'Stoke The Fiery Dragon' explores significant stories and historical events that Stoke-on-Trent has witnessed over the last 100 years through the eyes of two playful characters: potters 'Clay' and 'Mold'.
The characters, which are played by Naomi Johnson and Elizabeth Daily-Hunt, are on a mission to bring back their beloved pet dragon's puff.
References to famous stories and people are included throughout, including King George V and Queen Mary's visit to confer the Royal Charter, elevating the Borough to the status of a city in 1925, and 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.
The spokesperson for New Vic Education added: "Designed to engage younger children and their families, this immersive and educational piece of theatre recognises the significance of Stoke-on-Trent's industrious past whilst encouraging new visitors to the area to learn about the city's famous pottery trade."
The project has been supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council's City of Imagination funding, funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
'Stoke The Fiery Dragon' is free to attend with no booking required.
For more information email [email protected] or contact your local library.
CHECK OUT OUR FREE NEWSLETTER!
5 TOP STORIES EVERY FRIDAY!
Click here to sign up: stoke newsletter
Share: