Celebrating International Women’s Day and the 40th anniversary of the 1984/85 miners’ dispute, Leeds-based radical socialist theatre company Red Ladder and Unite the Union are rebooting We’re Not Going Back, originally commissioned in 2014 to mark the 30th anniversary of the conflict.
The hard-hitting musical comedy has no miners, but follows the fortunes of three pit-village sisters, hit by the government’s "war" against the miners and determined to fight back in their own branch of Women Against Pit Closures.
Karen Reay, Unite the Union's regional secretary, said: “Unite the Union North East, Yorkshire and Humber region, and our own Women’s Committee, are proud to be working with Red Ladder to restage We’re Not Going Back. This play is as poignantly relevant today, as it was 10 years ago, when it first ran.”
Writer and former Chumbawamba founder Boff Whalley said “It remains an important story to tell. 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. For me the strongest part, the heart of the miners' strike, was always the family support – specifically the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters.”
Tour dates are Wortley Hall, Sheffield (March 8 - International Women's Day); The Grove Hall, South Kirkby (March 9); The Cluntergate Centre, Horbury (March 10); Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield (March 13); Cast, Doncaster (March 14-15); Junction Theatre, Goole (March 16); Redbourn Sports and Social, Scunthorpe (March 19); Arts Centre Washington (March 21); St John’s Parish Hall, Staincross, Barnsley (March 22); Theatre Deli, Sheffield (March 25); Willows Social Club, Hull (March 26) and City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds (March 28-29).
More info and ticket links here