Creativity and Community with Keith and Marj
- Jun 13
- 3 min read
Us, Pots and a Welsh Chapel- Keith Brymer Jones and Marj Hogarth at Warwick Arts Centre, Friday 12 June 2026
Review by Alison Manning
In April 2022, whilst holidaying in Wales, we noticed an impressive, large old chapel for sale in the town of Pwllheli. My daughter joked about buying it, but sadly we didn't have a spare £200,000, though that seemed like quite a reasonable price for such an expansive, grade 2 listed building, with extra adjoining Sunday school space. Unlike us, potter Keith Brymar Jones and his actor partner Marj Hogarth formed a more serious interest in the chapel, viewed it five times, were interviewed by the Trustees and managed to scrape the money together to actually buy it later that year. Their subsequent slow progressing major renovation project was documented by Channel 4 in Our Welsh Chapel Dream, now filming its fourth series.
This ongoing renovation of Capel Salem forms the basis of much of the chat in Keith and Marj’s entertaining show “Us, Pots and a Welsh Chapel”, which came to Warwick Arts Centre this week, with stories that didn’t make the TV programme, such as their 55 skips and Max the Roofer who, apparently, frequently can’t be included due to his seeming disregard for health and safety rules, with a tendency to just shimmy up a drainpipe to mend a roof tile.
It quickly becomes apparent though, that the stories of their new Pwllheli home are less about the building work and more about the community and the characteristics of the people on the Llyn Peninsula and the fascinating aspects of their lives hidden behind their quiet exteriors. Even Max the roofer has his secret side. Despite finding the locals quiet at times, Keith and Marj have also felt a warm welcome into the community of Pwllheli with people willing to help them out, donating pottery equipment and even teenagers helping them carry tables and refusing anything in return.
As well as learning more about their life in Capel Salem, we also learn more about Keith and Marj’s earlier life. Whereas the chapel chat was occasionally accompanied by clips from the TV show, in this section we get glimpses of childhood photos and shots of them in their youthful bands. We also learn how Marj got into acting, developing a passion from an early pantomime trip, and how Keith got into pots, after a youthful dalliance in dance, doing ballet till he was well into his teenage years. One of, possibly, the most entertaining bits was the seemingly rather farfetched story of how Keith became a judge on the Pottery Throwdown which involved his creation of a spoof Adele music video, which we get to see in all its glory!
Keith and Marj both celebrate creativity and its transformative power. The main part of the plan that led to the purchase of Capel Salem was so Keith could have his own pottery studio, and take on apprentices, sharing the joy of clay. We are treated to a live pottery demonstration, including a quick mentoring session with a member of the audience, as Keith talks about the sensual, tactile and hands-on aspects of pottery and how he can tell, within a few seconds of having his hands on the hands of someone touching clay if they have a real affinity with it. It is a real celebration of the wonderful ability to communicate through creativity.
Overall, this is a show full of warmth which is clearly evident in Keith and Marj’s relationship, as well as their welcome into the community of Pwllheli. It doesn’t shy away from difficult issues, however, with divorce, bereavements and dark places all featuring. Along with, inevitably, Keith’s trademark tears which he is renowned for. The video introduction to the show contains a reminder to keep your hankies handy, there is a montage of Keith and Marj’s best crying moments from Our Welsh Chapel Dream and Keith does well up at moments. Ultimately, Keith and Marj come across as a warm, likeable couple, who feel deep emotion, but who are also almost as likely to break out into song as to cry.
Catch Keith and Marj in “Us, Pots and a Welsh Chapel” on one of the remaining dates of their UK tour which you can find here: https://www.fane.co.uk/keith-marj
Sounds like an enjoyable evening with a special couple.