United We Stand Coming To Bristol

Townsend Productions are bringing their play United We Stand to Bristol’s Bierkeller Theater on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th February 2015.

The story follows Ricky Tomlinson and Des Warren from the 1971 builders’ strike through to their subsequent convictions. Both humerous and moving the play examines the reasons behind the strike and considers why the Conservative government and building companies wanted revenge on the successful strikers. With a very creative use of only two actors and numerous songs this production is a very entertaining and informative way to spend an evening: and its live theatre for only £10!

Honestly, I have seen it and it is very good so please publicise this as much as you can, this is a great piece of political theatre.

Tickets are £10/£5 (unwaged/students/senior citizens). Tickets can be booked on line here or from the Box Office: Tel: 0117 930 2464

Bristol Beirkeller
All Saints St
Bristol
BS1 2NA

Written by Neil Gore, Musical Director John Kirkpartick

The official blurb

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.

• Find out more about the Shrewsbury 24 Campaign to clear the pickets’ names
• Find out more about the ply on Townsend Productions website
• Read a Guardian article about Ricky Tomlinson and the play
• Listen to a BBC Radio 4 interview with Ricky Tomlinson and Neil Gore on Front Row

Download a PDF flyer.

Reviews:

Whatever your politics, this is a production worth seeing – The Observer

★★★★★ Morning Star

★★★★ Liverpool Echo

★★★★ Click,Liverpool

★★★★ Public Review

★★★★ The Examiner, Huddersfield

United We Stand is the kind of cake that really doesn’t need any icing – British Theatre Guide

Striking Stuff- Click, Liverpool

The play was truthful, and hilarious and entertaining from the start – Nerve Magasine

Passionately delivered – Liverpool Echo

Highly recommended – Morning Star

Sponosors

The Bristol performances are sponsored by NUT South West.

The tour is sponsored by TUC, Unison, PSC, FBU and the Arts Council amongst others.