In the centenary year of both Stoke-on-Trent’s city status and the birth of local legend Arthur Berry, the world premiere of the creative’s final play, Whatever Happened To Phoebe Salt?, couldn’t have come at a better time. Bittersweet, funny, and quintessentially Stokie, it follows the hopes, dreams and drama of a working-class teen born in Burslem, and gives audiences a
Originally commissioned by the Vic, Berry wrote the script during the summer of 1988, but sadly, it was never performed. Rediscovered only recently in the New Vic archives, Theresa Heskins has sympathetically edited the play to see it finally receive its long-awaited debut – three decades after Berry’s death.
Set in the 1930s, there’s a really strong sense of place and identity, both in script and setting. Berry’s Stoke is rich with lost street names, Potteries slang, Minton tiles and plenty of calling one another ‘duck’. For those who have grown up in the Six Towns, or lived in Staffordshire for any length of time will feel a real connection to their heritage with this show.
Isabella Rossi makes a stunning professional debut as the fiercely ambitious and blithely self-absorbed Phoebe Salt. At 18-years-old, Salt is a force to be reckoned with, and while at times her temper and attitude is exasperating, she remains entirely loveable. Trapped in the daily grind of blood and bone at the meat market, she dreams of stardom, and teams up with thespian neighbour Cyril Pepper for a double act. Soon enough, opportunity knocks in the form of a TV talent show, Phoebe sees her chance to escape her big break, or so she thought.
The ill-fated act with the delightfully drippy Cyril, performed with all the eccentricity of a high school art teacher by Andrew Pollard, is painfully bad, yet brilliantly executed. The anti-comedy set piece is cringeworthy and hilarious, putting into perspective the gap between Phoebe’s dream and her reality. The embarrassment would be enough to put some off performing all together, but Phoebe’s determination to be somebody only burns brighter.
Tracey Ann Wood has everyone giggling at her character Elsie’s inherently nosey nature and often loose lips, while Perry Moore is excellent as Gerry Dewstrap, Phoebe’s slick romantic distraction, played with just the right amount of greasy charm. He is the total opposite to her betrothed Arnold Winkle, who Elliot Goodhill plays with real heart, his emotions always governing just below the surface.
Perhaps my favourite character, though, was Sammy Salt – Phoebe’s pig-rearing stepfather. Every line he delivers is steeped in that tick, no-nonsense Potteries accent that reminds me so much of my late granddad. He’s gruff, stubborn and hilariously blunt – Alasdair Baker does a wonderful job at bringing him to life.
As for what did happen to Phoebe Salt – well that’s the beauty of Berry’s writing. There’s no definitive ending or glittering transformation – just the odd postcard with no return address.
As part of the Arthur Berry and Stoke 100 celebrations, this production dusts off a forgotten script and breathes new life into it with warmth, wit, and wonderful performances. Whatever Happened to Phoebe Salt at The New Vic is a triumphant, belated debut for a play – and a playwright – that still has so much to say. The show is running at the New Vic theatre until June 21.
