Highly anticipated new play will debut in town

United We Stand, a highly anticipated new play based on the story of “Shrewsbury 24” is set to preview before it’s UK tour at The Espinosa Arts Centre in Berkhamstead next weekend.
Ricky Tomlinson was one of the Shrewsbury 24 back in 1973Ricky Tomlinson was one of the Shrewsbury 24 back in 1973
Ricky Tomlinson was one of the Shrewsbury 24 back in 1973

The play is about the Shrewsbury 24 – when 24 building workers were accused and three jailed, including actor Ricky Tomlinson, for violent picketing and intimidating workers in Shropshire in 1973.

In the 1960s and 70s the UK’s building companies were making millions rebuilding the country, but building workers faced the most dangerous working conditions and poorest wages of any trade. In the summer of ‘72, for 12 weeks, 300,000 building workers launched their industry’s first national all-out strike to end cash “lump” wages and seek better pay by using the controversial tactic of ‘Flying Pickets’.

The partial success of the strike, and the methods used, enraged the construction industry and government, and culminated in the arrest of 24 builders in North Wales who were charged with offences including conspiracy to intimidate and affray. The “24” were prosecuted at Shrewsbury Crown Court in 1973 and three were jailed, including building workers Des Warren and Tomlinson.

Sharp and humorous, United We Stand tells the story behind the compelling dispute and dispels the myth, put about at the time, that the pickets were a criminally violent rather than ordinary working men seeking a better life for themselves and their fellow workers.

Tomlinson, famous for his role in The Royle Family , said about the play: “I am delighted The Townsend Theatre Company are presenting a play about the 1972 building workers strike, and the plight of the Shrewsbury 24 building worker pickets.

“Every worker should know what happened to us so as to ensure it does not happen again.”

United We Stand is directed by Louise Townsend and will feature in its cast Neil Gore and William Fox.

United We Stand will be at the Espinosa Arts Centre on Saturday September 20 at 8pm with tickets priced at £12 (£10 concessions) and available online from www.espinosacentre.com or by calling 01442 818283.

For more info visit www.townsendproductions.co.uk

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