The Place Theatre, Bedford

Townsend Productions present United We Stand A new play by Neil Gore and MD John Kirkpatrick 31st January at 7.30pm Saturday The story of Des Warren, Ricky Tomlinson and the Shrewsbury 24 in the Builder's Strike of 1972.

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 Production's 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).

Reflecting the great tide of anger, which rocked the very foundations of the established political elite, United We Stand examines the extraordinary political will of all the participants and shares the anguish of falling prey to a flagrant miscarriage of justice.

Combining Townsend Production's 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 guarantees a powerfully challenging and entertaining evening for all its audiences.

Note that this show is not suitable for children under 14.

Tickets for this show are priced at £10.00, with a concession price of £8.50.

Tickets are also available from the Central Box Office in Bedford Tourist Information Centre on St Pauls Square, Telephone 01234-718112.

For further information on Townsend Productions, visit the Townsend Productions website.