United We Stand

The South Gloucestershire Division of the NUT is promoting performances of United We Stand ( http://www.townsendproductions.org.uk/productions/united-we-stand), a play about the case of the Shrewsbury 24, in Bristol.

In 1972 tens of thousands of building workers won the first national strike in the industry for better pay and conditions. ‘Flying pickets left the contractors reeling. The Tory government and the large building companies wanted revenge, and the ‘Shrewsbury 24’ were put on trial in the following year.

‘Townsend Productions’ new play, UNITED WE STAND, follows in the traditional of their highly successful productions The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and We Will Be Free! – the Tolpuddle Martyrs Story, and focuses on the true and still very current events that led to the imprisonment of building workers Des Warren and Eric Tomlinson (Ricky Tomlinson of ‘The Royle Family’).

It will reflect the great tide of anger, which rocked the very foundations of the established political elite, examine the extraordinary political will of all the participants and share the anguish of falling prey to a flagrant miscarriage of justice.

Combining Townsend Productions’ trademark small-cast, grand theatrical style and wit with popular and political songs of the early seventies (directed by John Kirkpatrick) and Ricky Tomlinson’s poems from his time in prison, this production aims to bring the full story of this compelling dispute to life, and will guarantee a powerfully challenging and entertaining evening for all its audiences.

Review from Shropshire Live.

Shrewsbury 24 Campaign website.

United We Stand
Bristol Bierkeller Theatre, All Saints’ Street, Bristol BS1 2NA,
Tickets: £11.00/£6.00 (Unwaged/Students/Senior Citizens)
Mon 16 Feb – http://bierkellertheatre.fatsoma.com/events/115173
Tue 17 Feb – http://bierkellertheatre.fatsoma.com/events/115174
19:30 – 21:30
Box office: 0117 9302464