Tonight, courtesy of by FANE productions, appearing on the very impressive Storyhouse theatre’s largest auditorium stage, are Keith Brymer Jones of ‘The Great Pottery Throw Down’ fame and his partner Marj Hogarth, both of the popular ‘Our Welsh Chapel Dream’ TV series, (series 3 aired in April this year).
They have invited us to share with them their life, escapades and antics whilst restoring Capel Salem in Pwllheli Wales, which they purchased in September 2022, and relate what we didn’t see happening behind the scenes.
The stage is set as an informal living room with sofas and lamps and a pottery wheel for Keith to demonstrate his craft to the audience.
The couple tell stories of how they first met in Harrogate, their lives before they met and their challenges and struggles whilst being filmed during their restoration of the Grade 11, 163-year-old chapel, (definitely not for the faint hearted!!), plus how they coped bringing it back to life and making it into their forever home, incorporating a pottery studio and a community space plus explaining the challenges of providing opportunities there for the underprivileged.
We experienced a very warm, friendly and caring couple, their chemistry together is undeniable, and they are complementary and respectful of each other and the new friends and neighbours they have made during their time together in Wales, paying homage to them throughout their show.
Keith is both entertainingly funny, and very emotional, he is famously known for his crying on ‘The Great Pottery Throw Down’ TV series, and not averse to making fun of himself; he was demonstrative in his story telling, with a brilliant example of accents and language lessons thrown in for full realistic and hilarious effect. Interjected throughout the show were supporting video clips which are projected onto a large screen behind them on the stage to complement their real down-to-earth storytelling. They have a large pigeon prop to relate to a particular part of the show for great comedic effect.
"This was our first show of our tour to sell out here in Chester" Marj explained appreciatively and the packed audience were emotionally moved to tears and crying with laughter and clapped loudly in appreciation throughout this very enjoyable show.
Marj, an actress, singer and textile designer and self-confessed seamstress from age 7, who has previously sang in a band, and had a working relationship with rubber as a dominatrix, had to hide her sorrow as did Keith during their renovation TV show as they both experienced a very sad time in their lives with their loss of parents.
Keith, a former dancer, potter and singer in a band, who as a youth attended the same Scottish drama school as David Tennant, got his break to host ‘The Great Pottery Throwdown’ in a very unusual and hilarious way, after making a video of a spoof of Adele’s ‘Rolling In The Deep’ and I strongly recommend you see it, if you haven’t already.
The couple surprise their architect, Rhodri by inviting him on stage for a pottery lesson by Keith, whilst Marj sings the theme tune from the film, Ghost, ‘Unchained Melody’ (by The Righteous Brothers) which is so entertainingly funny.
The show ended with Keith and Marj singing the song, ‘I Got You Babe’ (by Sonny & Cher) and I think this could be yet another partnership venture ready to be explored here guys……. just saying.
Keith has written two books, ‘Boy in a China Shop: Life, Clay and Everything' published 2022 & 'Firing Earth: An Unexplained History of Pots & Potters' published 2026.
‘Us, Pots, And A Welsh Chapel’ by FANE productions UK tours until end of June 2026.
Tickets: https://www.fane.co.uk/keith-marj
Further dates -
Mon 15 June - Theatre Severn, Shropshire
Thu 18 June - New Theatre Cardiff
Tue 23 June - Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells
Wed 24 June - The Marlowe, Canterbury
Thu 25 June - Charter Hall, Colchester
Reviewer: Jill Ollerton
On: 15.06.26
