16 - 19 March 2022
“It’s going to be out of this world!”
About the Show
In March 2022, B arts premiered MOONTOPIA, our out of this world, interactive show.
Meeting at one of 3 secret locations, audiences joined a team of 20 other special investigators to follow the trail deep into the heart and soul of the B-Arts universe. The show involved lots of starry characters, a galaxy of creative surprises and clues to help solve the mystery of Moontopia. Topped off by a spectacular finale with the biggest, brightest VIP guest in the universe!
The Moontopia Experience also included food from Betty "Buzz" Buffer and The Moonster Kitchen. Galatic Cocktails, Spacey Nibbles, Mini-Moon pies and Galaxy Gravy… not forgetting a sweet treat of Chocolate Miso Caramel Meteorites! The Moonsters Kitchen was delivered in partnership with the Chatty Café crew from Regent College Stoke.
About the Production
Moontopia was created and devised in collaboration with theatre maker and director Andrew Loretto, dramaturg Richard Hurford and a creative team of artists and makers at B arts. This was Andrew's debut project with B arts.
Andrew Loretto
Originally from Belfast, Andrew Loretto is an internationally experienced director, writer, dramaturg, producer and festival director for outdoor, indoor and site responsive performance and theatre.
Currently Director of Hat Fair and Playmakers for Play to the Crowd, Winchester. Previously director of Right Up Our Street Doncaster's Creative People and Places programme, including establishing the DNweekeND festival. Recent directing projects include; No Horizon; Ikebana; The Great Big Donco; The Wakefield Mysteries; Dramaturg for Company Chameleon; and Fidget Feet Aerial Dance's brand new outdoor aerial spectacular, 'A Handful of Dreams'
We were joined by local performer-facilitators Martin Gooding, Solaya Rowley and Jessica Simm with a guest appearance from international artist Sharon Richards and a cast of talented community performers.
Meet the Performers
Martin Gooding
Hi, I’m Martin Gooding you might remember me from such B Arts shows as;
A Place at the Table,
Hush Hush Cinema,
The Lost Post Office and
The Lost Post Office: the one where we accidentally go to space.
You may also have seen me indiscriminately shouting loudly from some stage somewhere
Solaya Sang
Solaya is a professional actress who graduated from. Moutview Academy of Theatre Arts and has worked in film and various stage productions, most recently performing at the New Vic theatre in their production of Beauty and the Beast.
“Moontopia is such an important show to bring to the community because its accessibility of magic for all ages. I love the organic process of playing and also representing my own community within the wider community”
Jessica Simm
I’m Jess, I’m 27 and I live in Stoke-on-Trent.
I’ve been involved in the arts since a young age and worked on everything from Shakespeare to kids entertainment.
Excited to be involved in another B-Arts performance!
Kath Walton, Creative Engagement Worker at B arts and Creative Producer for Moontopia said,
“We have created this piece of work in collaboration with members of our local neighbourhood in Stoke on Trent, our Space to Connect advisory group, our friends at ASHA North Staffordshire, Amity Hub in Newcastle-Under-Lyme and the residents of St Dominic’s Court.”
Dramaturg, Richard Hurford said
"MOONTOPIA is the kind of joyful, ambitious, fun, but also passionately hopeful show that only a multi-faceted organisation like B-Arts can create. As a freelance theatre-maker, it's been a special joy to be welcomed into their bright and surprising world with such vision, commitment, openness and honest kindness. With such a richly talented and generous team of artists, makers, producers and community participants not even the sky is the limit - and I can promise that everyone who comes to participate in MOONTOPIA will experience that for themselves in more ways than one!"
About B arts
B arts is a participatory arts company who have been based in Stoke-on-Trent and working across North Staffordshire and the world for the last 35 years. As a company people may know our work in making carnivals and lantern processions, we also create special site- specific theatre - often involving food. Families might have come to see Lost Post Office, our seasonal family show in our building just before Christmas, or have taken part in the Little School of Improbable Cooking - our libraries creative writing and cookery project.
Many people enjoyed Forest of Dreams as part of The British Ceramics Biennial in China Hall back in 2017.
Artistic Director Susan Clarke said -
We are delighted to be presenting a completely new work, “Moontopia” in March this year. The idea for the show has come from working with people throughout the pandemic and all of our hopes and dreams for finding better ways to live together. Thanks to our funders “Moontopia" has been a great opportunity to welcome Andrew Loretto to the city.
Andrew is a highly experienced director and producer, working with many nationally significant companies including Opera North, Company Chameleon and Fidget Feet Aerial Dance,
so it’s very exciting to have him working with us here at B arts.“Moontopia” has been a great project for us to extend and diversify the artists in our creative talent pool- especially fore-fronting artists with queer, transgender and non- binary identities. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to “Moontopia" and can’t wait for lift off in March!
Behind the Scenes
Take a look through our Moontopia Production Gallery, shining a spotlight on the community members and artists who co-created the performance. Thank you to everyone who took part!
