United We Stand

About the Event

Following the success of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and We Will Be Free! - The Tolpuddle Martyrs Story, Townsend Productions presents United We Stand, a powerful new play based on the true story of one of the most tumultuous industrial battles – the 1972 Builders' Strike.

In the 1960s and 70s building companies were making millions re-building Britain, but building workers faced the most dangerous and despicable working conditions and poorest wages of any trade. In the summer of '72, for twelve 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 in retaliation, five months after the strike ended, 24 builders were arrested in North Wales and charged with offences including conspiracy to intimidate and affray. They were convicted at Shrewsbury Crown Court in 1973 and three were jailed, including building workers Des Warren and Ricky Tomlinson.

Sharp and humorous, United  tells the story behind the compelling dispute and dispels the myth, put about at the time, that the pickets were a criminally violent "mad horde" and "frenzied mob", rather than ordinary working men seeking a better life for themselves and their fellow workers. With a cast of two actor/musicians portraying the different sides of this almighty struggle and featuring music directed by renowned folk musician John Kirkpatrick.

Townsend Productions Website