Victorian Stoke-on-Trent is the setting for Blood and Bone China. I went along to the World Premier to find out more

Wednesday 2nd March 2011: The evening started off by being greeted with a red carpet at the foyer of the Potteries Museum in Hanley on a cold and chilly night. The packed foyer of the museum housed props and costumes from the show and featured people dressed up in fine Victorian costumes. Members of the cast and crew were chatting to the gathered public.

There are two stories to tell you about Blood and Bone China, and it’s writer, producer, editor, director Chris Stone. The first story is about the film, but the second is about a young local lad who is full of energy and talent who and is on his way to making it big time.

First bit then is the show. Blood and Bone China is a web episodic horror drama set in Victorian Stoke-on-Trent which starts off in the dark streets of Stoke with some sinister disappearances that has everyone scared and in fear of their lives.

The story soon shifts to the lush green countryside where we meet our main character Newlyn Howell who receives the bad news that his brother is missing presumed dead. Newlyn sets off to Stoke, to find out just what the mysterious circumstances of his Borthers circumstances are.

In a simlar vein to the productions of latter year, the show is split up in small chunks, and will be released bi-weekly, watchable for free over on the Blood and Bone China, with the first episode becoming available this coming Sunday at 6:00pm at http://bloodandbonechina.com

The premiere aired the first 4 shows, and left this viewer wanting more, as episode 4’s cliff hanger leaves you wanting to see more, and more.

The pace is fast, but it has to be, the story is coherent, and leaves you wanting more. The acting is very strong, especially considering the budget is on £3000, and the cast likeable, especially the actors Antony Miles who plays a very Victorian and stuffy Newlyn Howel, and the lovely Rachel Shenton who breaks away from her day job playing Mizzie in Hollyoaks to play a reporter for yee olde news paper The Staffordshire Sentinel, as a investigative reporter.

The settings are brilliant, with great use of Stoke on Trent, and the areas Victorian past being used very well. You find yourself trying to work out where the scenes are filmed, as locations such as Caverswall Castle, Crewe Hall, Gladstone Pottery and various houses around the potteries are included. But after a short time you don’t even notice that the sets are modern day, and just submerse your self in the show.

This has to be one of the highlights of the Stoke on Trent calendar, and hopefully everyone will be checking the Blood and Bone China website out for it’s web release this sunday at 6pm.

But don’t worry if you don’t miss it, the episode are on the web, and can be played as and when you want.

That’s enough about the show then, I enjoyed really enjoyed it, it was spooky, entertaining, humerous and hopefully will to when you tune in and watch the show yourselves.

Now the second part of this article is about how a local lad took a £3000 grant from the council and used it to make this show, and if it takes off will put Stoke on Trent firmly on the map.

The Director, key grip, boom man, writer, camera man, editor, sound recordist, chief and second runner, tea boy has done an amazing job and should be an inspiration to all, no matter what field of work you do. The message from this is clear. If you want to do something, you do it. You make contacts, you do the research, you apply your talents. You get off your butt and you make it happen. Yes a little bit of talent helps, so anyone who is sitting around waiting for things to happen. Go and make them happen.

Chris asked on twitter locally if any one knew if he could get some props made up on the cheap. The next day a local pottery company came through with the goods. I’m not sure who, I think it was Hemlock pottery.

He asked about Victorian locations in the city again on twitter, and again the community responded.

Stoke on Trent should be proud of both the film and Chris, and I wish them both well.

Keep your sunday evening free for the first episode of Blood and Bone China to air, Chapter One: The Man in Black

So who will be the first to offer the blood and bone china Stoke on Trent tour?