Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre is bringing brand-new show Marvellous to the stage next month. What’s On caught up with Artistic Director Theresa Heskins to find out about the play, which tells the incredible true story of a celebrated local hero...

Neil Baldwin is a local hero in Staffordshire. Born in Newcastle-under-Lyme in 1946, he was diagnosed with a learning disability as a child but has refused to be limited by the label. 

Neil’s extraordinary life has seen him go from registered clown to Stoke City Football Club kit man and unofficial mascot for Keele University. In 2015 he was named Supporter of the Year by Stoke City, and in 2019 he was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community.

His life story was told in the 2014 BBC Two drama, Marvellous. The film went on to win a BAFTA and received unanimously positive reviews. Now, the New Vic Theatre is bringing the local legend’s story to the stage with a brand-new play which, like the film, is titled Marvellous. Combining football stars, bishops and politicians with circus acts and comedy, the show promises to be funny, moving and inspiring in equal measure.

“I was really struck by the BBC film and how much that impacted on people both locally and nationally,” explains New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins. “People started saying to me in the street, ‘You’ve got to put Neil’s story on stage’, and I realised they were right.

“When Neil was young, he was told he probably wouldn’t amount to much. But he’s gone out and achieved his dreams and ambitions. It’s an inspiring story because Neil hasn’t allowed himself to be knocked back.

“He’s an example of what we could all achieve if we follow our dreams. He wanted to be a circus clown, so he went off and joined the circus. He wanted to be a football manager, so he got a job as kit man for Stoke City Football Club. He wanted to go to university, and he’s been awarded an honorary degree from Keele. He’s even had his own episode of Songs Of Praise!” 

If all that wasn’t enough for one man, Neil has also rubbed shoulders with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Gary Lineker and Prince Edward. 

Lou Macari, former Scottish international footballer and manager of Stoke City in the early ’90s, described Neil as the best signing he ever made. 

In 2020 Neil’s autobiography was published, forming the basis for the New Vic’s play, which he’s co-created.

“Neil’s been with us the whole time we’ve been developing the show,” says Theresa. “He’s been in the rehearsal room with us and worked on the script with us, so it’s very much his version of his life story.

“He’s amazing to be with because he has this incredible facility for spreading happiness. He’s a fairy story in himself, and he makes everybody else’s life feel like one. We’re trying to get that magic that he has into the play, so that the show also spreads happiness and makes people come out of the theatre with a massive smile on their face.”

Marvellous combines a playful script with physical comedy to tell the story of Neil’s remarkable life.

“The play is quirky and funny, and it’s very much like Neil. He’s got all these personalities that he’s played, like the circus clown and the chicken, which are part of the story we tell.”

In referring to ‘the chicken’, Theresa is talking about the chicken costume Neil would wear while he was kit man for Stoke. He is also known for having interrupted one of Lou Macari’s TV interviews by appearing in the background dressed in a kilt.

Although Neil is renowned for his sense of humour, the show also touches on some of the more difficult times in his life. “It’s moving in parts because his life hasn’t always been easy, but Neil’s approach to dealing with challenges is an inspiration, so it’s also very uplifting.

“I hope that people who see the show will feel inspired to think about their own ambitions, and I hope they’ll feel really proud of our area.”

Bringing Marvellous to the stage has been a challenge. The production was cancelled on two previous occasions due to Covid restrictions, but Theresa remained positive that the show would go on: “Marvellous has always been right at the top of our list of things we wanted to make happen. We’re so committed to it because it’s important for us to be able to celebrate a local hero. And Neil has been so generous with his time in helping us make it.

“We’re excited about finally being able to perform it, and what we’ve been finding with all the shows we had to postpone is that they’re much better for the time they’ve had in extra development. I think Marvellous will be a better play because of it, too.”

Theresa is delighted that the New Vic’s audiences have been so enthusiastic about returning to the theatre: “It’s wonderful to have audiences coming back in numbers - and especially to see families coming in and enjoying the shows. We’re so grateful to the local people for the support that they’ve shown to the theatre, and for their patience and continuing engagement. It’s a wonderful feeling to have people telling us what an important part of the local community we are.”

So what can New Vic audiences expect when they visit the venue to enjoy Marvellous? 

“Our show is very different from the film, because it’s very theatrical. It contains a lot more of Neil’s own humour and a certain mischievousness which the film doesn’t have. And, of course, it’s live every night, so anything could happen!”

Marvellous shows at the New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, from Fri 11 March to Saturday 9 April