The Queen’s Shoulders

How a local woman came to feature on one of the most iconic images of the 20th century.

In 1964 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sat for Staffordshire artist Arnold Machin, as he modelled his clay cameo his iconic postage stamp image. However, Machin only sculpted the Queen’s head, and the Palace decided it needed something extra - shoulders! Machin asked a young Stoke-on-Trent woman, Angela, to sit for him as he modelled the monarch’s shoulders. Angela remained in the area, becoming a teacher and raising her family in the Staffordshire Moorlands. She was involved in local theatre groups and choirs throughout her life.

Originally commissioned for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, this new production celebrates Machin’s Stoke-on- Trent roots and brings you the extraordinary true story of how the local woman’s shoulders would become known throughout the world.

Directed by Polly Wain, Resident Assistant Director at the New Vic Theatre and featuring Ava Ralph as Angela, The Phoenix Singers bring this unique story to life with words by Victoria Brazier and music by Ashley Thompson.

You’ll never look at a stamp in the same way again.

For more details visit: www.phoenixsingersleek.co.uk and Facebook: phoenixsingersleek