JAN WOOLF applauds the necessarily subversive character of the Palestinian poster in Britain
Upper Clyde Shipbuilders’ Work-In reflected in a musical drama
Two women workers, in an industry facing closure, are drawn into the monumental, heroic battle
MARTIN GRAHAM welcomes a comprehensive history of the national debt, while regretting that it is neither up to date, nor has a class-based analysis
SYLVIA HIKINS is bowled over by a wonderful show that both entertains and educates
JOHN HAWKINS welcomes the straight-talking condemnation of genocide by a queer Jewish environmental journalist
TOMASZ PIERSCIONEK relishes a detailed history of the battles, manoeuvres and tactics that defeated fascism
MARIA DUARTE recommends an exposure of the state violence used against pro-Palestine protests in the US
CHRIS SEARLE urges you to hear the US saxophonist Joe McPhee on livestream tonight
THIS year marks the 50th anniversary of the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders’ Work-In of 1971-72, and the always resplendent Townsend Productions have a new musical drama to bring this powerful story to life.
Based on verbatim interviews with shipyard workers, Yes! Yes! UCS! tells of two women workers in an industry facing closure, drawn into the monumental, heroic battle to save thousands of jobs.
The Work-In was a defiant new tactic from shop stewards who included union activists Jimmy Reid and Jimmy Airlie. Instead of the usual union strikes and sit-ins, they staged this strategic action to show that workers were not only willing to work, but that demand for their work existed.
Townsend have a great track record in bringing these histories to all communities. Recent work includes Rouse, Ye Women! in 2019, a folk ballad about Mary Macarthur and the women chainmakers of Cradley Heath striking to achieve a living wage in 1910.
In 2017, they toured with We Are the Lions, Mr Manager, the remarkable story of Jayaben Desai who led the 1976-8 Grunwick strike.
‘Yes, Yes, UCS!’ opened recently and tours extensively until May 1. For dates near you visit: townsendproductions.org.uk
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