Bold statement: a late promoter’s lasting legacy now shines through a Christmas pantomime that he helped shape, and those who knew him say he’d be incredibly proud of what the theatre has created. And this is the part most people miss... the show isn’t just about laughs on stage—it’s a tribute stitched together from years of community work and personal connections.
A veteran promoter from Stoke-on-Trent, Mike Lloyd, who ran Music Mania in Hanley, died unexpectedly at 82 while returning from the United States. Beyond his music business, he served as a board member at the Mitchell Arts Centre in Hanley, where his December routine of handing out ice cream and greeting visitors became a familiar, heartwarming tradition during pantomime season.
This year, the Mitchell Arts Centre is premiering Cinderella this Thursday. Actor Tim Churchill told BBC Radio Stoke that Mike would have been immensely proud of this production. “It works really well. It’s all come together brilliantly. I think Mike would be very, very pleased with it,” he said. Churchill, who plays one of the Ugly Sisters, noted that Mike Lloyd’s presence will also be felt on stage in video and photo clips during the show.
The cast and crew have endured a difficult period since Mike’s passing, but Churchill said they’re pushing through for him. He recalled missing his friend’s laughter from the back of the auditorium during performances and admitted the past few days have been hectic. Sometimes, he said, it only hits you when you sit in their familiar café corner—the chair at the table where Mike always sat.
In tribute to Mike, Mitchell Arts Centre has invited community members to contribute to a “celebration window” at the theatre. The project invites locals to help craft a visible homage to his impact.
Mike Lloyd, born in Walsall, received an OBE in 2022 for his services to classical music as the chief executive of Stoke-on-Trent Classics, the organization that arranges orchestral concerts. In 2025, he was named an honorary freeman of Stoke-on-Trent for his exceptional commitment to enriching the city’s cultural and musical landscape. His initiatives included helping bring the Lemmy Kilmister statue to Burslem and supporting plans to transform the Queen’s Theatre into a concert venue in memory of the Motorhead frontman.
Cinderella at the Mitchell Arts Centre runs from 18 to 31 December. If you’d like to share feedback on local stories to cover in Staffordshire, get in touch.
