CORRIE ACTOR AND WRITER PAIR UP FOR MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO WAR VETERANS
20-year-old has drawn on own family’s experiences of conflict to create drama
A FORMER Coronation Street actor has teamed up with a young writer to stage a play about war veterans at a city theatre – in time for Remembrance Sunday.
Eric Potts, below – whose roles in the Street include eccentric baker Diggory Compton – has written the musical Unforgotten Heroes with Stafford’s Joshua Bennett.
Eric’s CV also includes appearances in Emmerdale, Last of the Summer Wine, Heartbeat and Dr Who.
And theatre-goers can take a look at the fruits of their labour when it is performed at Hanley’s Mitchell Arts Centre next months.
Twenty-year-old Joshua says the idea for the show came from his brother Oliver.
Set in Joshua’s home town, the play is based on conversations with veterans of recent and past conflicts, with an emphasis on the Second World War. It was inspired by his own family history in the armed forces.
Joshua said: “The cast, writers, and veterans have met regularly so we can all build a relationship and understand more about the reasoning behind why we are doing the show and the characters they are playing.”
Joshua said it has been a very personal experience, with inspiration coming from his family’s own experience.
He added: “Not only was my father in the RAF, but my grandfather was in the Royal Navy in the latter part of the Second World War, having joined aged just 16.
“He passed away just this year, and we tried to discover as much from him as he wanted to give about his experiences and thoughts.
“His dementia and then restrictions imposed because of lockdowns didn’t make this easy, but I ended up learning so much, which I’m very grateful for.
“Through Unforgotten Heroes, we want people to take time not just to remember those who have fought for our country, but what their efforts have done to create the society we are in now.”
Unforgotten Heroes is to be performed from November 3 to 6, with evening shows at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.
Tickets cost from £11. For more details visit mitchellartscentre. co.uk.