Bright Lights Over Bentilee: A UFO Encounter Reimagined on Stage

An unassuming field next to a housing estate in Stoke-on-Trent has become the unlikely backdrop for a new stage production that delves into one of the most intriguing UFO sightings in British history. The play, titled Bright Lights Over Bentilee, is inspired by true events from September 2, 1967, when dozens of residents claimed to have witnessed a mysterious craft land in their neighborhood. This captivating story, brought to life by playwright and former Coronation Street star Deborah McAndrew, invites audiences to explore the intersection of belief, community, and the unknown.

The Night of the Sighting

On that fateful night in 1967, just after 9 PM, the skies over Bentilee were illuminated by a series of bright lights. Eight separate sightings were reported, with witnesses—including housewives, children, and even a police officer—describing a large, red saucer-shaped object about the size of a car. According to eyewitness accounts, the craft changed colors and silently glided over the heads of residents before descending into a nearby field.

As the community gathered to investigate, they claimed to have seen the object take off again, transforming into a bright white light akin to a car headlight before vanishing into the night. This event left an indelible mark on the local populace, prompting many to question what they had seen and why it had occurred.

A Playwright’s Journey

Deborah McAndrew’s fascination with this incident began when she stumbled upon old news footage featuring interviews with the residents who experienced the sighting. Intrigued by how life seemingly returned to normal the next day, she embarked on a journey to uncover the truth behind the event. Her research included conversations with individuals who had witnessed the phenomenon, including one of the children who had chased after the UFO.

"What they saw was a large red saucer-shaped object about the size of a car," McAndrew explained, emphasizing the sincerity of the witnesses. She believes in the validity of their experiences, stating, "When people tell me they’ve seen things, I believe them." This conviction is central to the narrative of Bright Lights Over Bentilee, which seeks to honor the voices of those who encountered the extraordinary.

The Cultural Context

The late 1960s was a period marked by a burgeoning interest in space exploration and extraterrestrial life, fueled by the space race and the popularity of science fiction in media. Some skeptics have suggested that the sightings could have been misidentified satellites or other aerial phenomena. However, McAndrew argues that the nature of the event—specifically the landing and subsequent takeoff—distinguishes it from typical UFO sightings.

Actress Polly Lister, who portrays a housewife named Beverley in the play, echoes this sentiment, asserting that the collective experiences of the witnesses cannot be easily dismissed. "It would be very hard to completely write it off because every single one of those people, I believe, is telling the truth of what they saw," she remarked.

A Community’s Response

The play not only dramatizes the sighting but also explores the aftermath and the community’s response to the event. Eddy Westbury, another cast member, highlights the uniqueness of this particular case, noting the consistency of the accounts from various witnesses. "You hear a lot of things people have seen in America… this one is particularly interesting purely because of all the accounts… completely different people, in different places," he said.

As the narrative unfolds, audiences are invited to reflect on the nature of belief and the human experience of the unknown. The production serves as a reminder that while the truth may remain elusive, the stories we tell and the connections we forge in the face of mystery are what truly matter.

Conclusion

Bright Lights Over Bentilee runs until October 12 at The Dipping House in Stoke, offering a unique blend of drama, history, and speculation. As the community grapples with the fallout from that extraordinary night, the play encourages viewers to ponder the possibilities that lie beyond our understanding. Did the residents of Bentilee witness something truly out of this world? While the truth may be shrouded in mystery, the power of storytelling ensures that their experiences will not be forgotten.

In a world where the extraordinary often collides with the mundane, Bright Lights Over Bentilee stands as a testament to the enduring allure of the unknown and the stories that bind us together.