Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre will stage the world premiere of Marvellous telling the almost unbelievable story of Stoke City FC kit man, clown and all-round local hero, Neil ‘Nello’ Baldwin.
It is a wild ride through Baldwin’s colourful life filled with football stars, comedians, bishops, circus acts, budgies and even the Queen who awarded him a B.E.M.
From the moment he was born, Baldwin knew he was destined to do wonderful things and so that is what he did. He joined a church choir then appeared on Songs of Praise, he hitchhiked across the country then became a famous clown, he went to see his local football team then became their kit man and this was a man who left school at 14 with no qualifications then received an honorary degree from Keele University.
Marvellous has been created with the assistance of this most unlikely hero, and features a seven-strong cast including neurodiverse actors who will all play versions of themselves playing Baldwin, and a whole host of other characters.
“Through thick and thin, the prospect of staging the story of Nello’s inspirational life has given us cause to smile,” says New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins who directs Marvellous.
“His optimistic outlook and talent for happiness rubs off on everyone he meets, and Marvellous is going to do exactly the same. It’s a story of joy and sadness, of realising dreams, of belonging and othering, of how labels both limit us and protect us, of what constitutes a hero and why we need them.
“It’s a play that is as straightforward, direct and sunny as Neil is, it will fill audiences with optimism, bring people together and spread happiness.”
Marvellous takes to the stage at the New Vic from Friday 11th March to Saturday 9th April 2022. Tickets are on sale now, priced from £18.50 – £27.50. For more details and to book, call the Box Office on 01782 717 962 or visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk