Theatre Royal Hanley

18/09/2026

Message from Richard Powell about Aunty Chris

Hello Andrew I hope all is well? We now have a funeral date. Friday 2nd October at 12:15, at St Francis Church, Meir Heath. Followed by a committal at Stoke Crem for those that wish to come. The Wake is at St Francis Church Hall which is next to the Church. All welcome. Can you distribute on the Theatre Royal page. Many thanks x X

02/09/2026

Even more bad news to share to all my local theatre friends.

Paul "Woody" Wood passed away in hospital last night.

Woody was a massive part of both the Theatre Royal Hanley and more recently at the Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall where he just celebrated 25 years.

But he also touched so many being a stage door keeper. A keen writer, writing many local pantomimes and of course who could forget the the witty cod pantos he wrote with Barry at the TRH.

He will be missed by so many and he will be there with Aunty Chris and Aunty Liz having a good old chin wag.

Taken too soon x

30/08/2026

It comes with great sadness that Im posting this on behalf of Richard Powell.

Aunty Chris Powell passed away in her sleep last night.

Im sure you will all remember her in your own way, but she will always be the back end of the cow in Jack and the Beanstalk.

01/01/2026

2 lovely old posters posted in the variety group. And Gareth Price has let me post to the group

Update - he's just sent me 3 others from his collection

23/08/2025

On behalf of the family we just want to say a massive thankyou for all the kind words and messages.

We have now fixed a date for the funeral.

18th September 2025
12.40 pm
Bradwell Crematorium
Chatterley Cl, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 8LE

Afterwards we would like to invite everyone for a drink and a chat.

Borough Arms Hotel
Gladstone Lounge Bar
26 King St,
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Newcastle ST5 1HX

Parking is available, and Bar food is available if anyone wants to get anything.

No flowers please but we are doing a collection to The Grayhound Gap Charity

20/08/2025

On behalf of our family, I would like to let everyone know that our mum, Elizabeth (Aunty Liz) Ankers, sadly passed away in the early hours of Monday 18th August.
At the moment, we do not have the details for the funeral, but we will share them as soon as they are confirmed.
This has come as a huge shock to us all, and we kindly ask for time and space to grieve.

13/02/2025

THEATRE ROYAL HANLEY presented JACK AND THE BEANSTALK in 1946! Have a look on pantoarchive.co.uk for even more panto history!

22/01/2025

https://gofund.me/c84352a3

On the morning of Wednesday 18th December, 2024 my husband Mike H… Emma Holoway needs your support for Support Mike Holoway’s Recovery Following London Attack

08/03/2024

Unfortunately I have sad news. Fred Van Buren sadly died the other day. He was a big part in the history of magic and of the theatre supporting many charity shows we did. Our thoughts are with all Van Buren family

29/11/2023

Its with great sadness I have to report the passing of Anthony Lewis Pointon (or Tony Pointon as we all knew him) after a short and courageous battle with oesophageal cancer. Tony was a massive part of the starting point of the Theatre Royal and was on the crew for many years. He is your goto guy for a quiz and could often be found on the fly floor with Dean. He will always be remembered for doing his "Uncle Perv" (below a picture) and also was cast in one the theatre's Pantomime. I have been asked to add a link to a fundraising site, and of course will add more about plans as we get them

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-raise-funds-for-tonys-celebration-of-life