A hard-hitting musical comedy set amidst the Miners’ Strike of 1984-85 is coming to the Lawrence Batley Theatre.
Red Ladder Theatre Company, in association with Unite the union, presents ‘We’re Not Going Back’ at the Huddersfield theatre on Wednesday March 13 (7.30pm).
Created by writer and ex-Chumbawamba founder member Boff Whalley, the show is re-directed by Elvi Piper.
The production was originally commissioned in 2014 to mark the 30th anniversary of the dispute by the North-East, Yorkshire and Humberside regions of Unite and, once again, the union is supporting the re-mounting of the show. Victoria Brazier, Claire O’Connor, Stacey Sampson and Beccy Owen will reprise their original roles.
While ‘We’re Not Going Back’ is set in the midst of the strike there are no miners. Instead, the audience follows the fortunes of three pit-village sisters – Olive, Mary and Isabel – hard hit by the Government’s decision to shut mines and determined to fight back with their own branch of ‘Women Against Pit Closures.’
With music, comedy and grit, the three sisters embrace the values of the ’84 strike and underline the empowerment, determination and vulnerability communities were faced with.
Writer Boff Whalley said: “It remains an important story to tell and instead of focusing on the battle between miners, police and government, we shine a light on the thousands of women who organised and rallied in support of the strike.
“For me, the strongest part – the heart of the miners’ strike – was always the family support, specifically the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters.”
Tickets are £16 and can be booked on the theatre website HERE
Image by: KEN WILKINSON
