Celebrating workers’ solidarity

Tomorrow night, Barnsley’s Civic Theatre welcomes a play approved by comic actor Ricky Tomlinson based on The 1972 Builder’s Strike.

United We Stand tells the story of the 12-week dispute, which saw 24 builders in North Wales who were charged with offences including conspiracy to intimidate and affray in relation to demonstrations and picketing.

The 24 were prosecuted at Shrewsbury Crown Court in 1973 and three were jailed, including building workers Des Warren and Ricky Tomlinson.

United We Stand features a cast of two playing multiple roles and boasts a grand theatrical style and plenty of wit with popular and political songs about the strike, arranged by  folk musician John Kirkpatrick and Ricky Tomlinson's poems from his time in prison.

The production aims to bring the full story of the compelling dispute to life in a powerful and thought-provoking innovative production.

Ricky Tomlinson 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.

“It is 41 years since I together with Des Warren and John McKinsie Jones were charged with conspiracy and jailed — every worker should know what happened to us so as to ensure it does not happen again.”

United We Stand is at The Civic at 7.30pm tomorrow.

Tickets are £12 full price and £10 concessions and the show is recommended for ages 11 and over.

For more information visit www.barnsleycivic.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01226 327000.