We Are The Lions, Mr. Manager!’ is the remarkable story of Jayaben Desai the inspirational leader of the 1976-78 Grunwick Film Processing Factory Strike.
She was recently amongst the women who have had the biggest impact on women’s lives over the past 70 years as part of the Radio 4 Women’s Hour Power List.She brought the issue of workplace exploitation and racism to the fore, challenged the perception of Asian women being inherently passive and docile, whilst having the measure of the most brutish and charmless of her managers, telling them:
“What you are running here is not a factory, it is a zoo. But in a zoo there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys who dance on your fingertips, others are lions who can bite your head off. We are the lions, Mr. Manager!”
She not only stood up for workers’ rights and against oppression with selfless dedication, but with her steadfast resolve, she turned the dispute into a national movement for human rights and dignity inspiring future generations.
Neil Gore (writer) said: “In our work we aim to focus on the lives and contributions of inspirational and vital figures from our social history, often forgotten, who campaigned vigorously to improve the quality of life for everyone. Jayaben Desai is one such figure. She tirelessly fought on behalf of immigrant workers against exploitative employment practice; fearlessly faced all the elements of establishment authority; alerted many in the trade union movement to the issues of vulnerability of immigrant workers; and highlighted the fight to maintain basic trade union rights. Her resolve and courage should be remembered and celebrated. Also, Grunwick raised many wide-ranging questions about trade unionism, rights in the workplace and dignity at work - themes that still resonate and are relevant today.”
Medhavi Patel (actress) said: “I am so excited to be playing Jayaben Desai in this important play about the Grunwick Strike. I am a distant relative of Jayaben's, and although I didn't know her personally her story is one that inspires me as a woman from a Gujarati background.
“I think there are so many hidden role models within Indian culture. There are so many amazing women and men in our communities doing some amazing things but you don't hear about them.
“Jayaben's story is one that deserves to be told again and again, and I am honoured to be playing her.
TOUR DATES
- FEB 5 - 7.45PM - HARROGATE THEATRE (STUDIO)
HARROGATE
BOX OFFICE: 01423 502 116 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- FEB 6 - 7.45PM - HARROGATE THEATRE (STUDIO)
HARROGATE
BOX OFFICE: 01423 502 116 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- FEB 7 - 7.45PM - HARROGATE THEATRE (STUDIO)
HARROGATE
BOX OFFICE: 01423 502 116 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- FEB 8 - 7.45PM - HARROGATE THEATRE (STUDIO)
HARROGATE
BOX OFFICE: 01423 502 116 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- FEB 9 - 7.45PM - HARROGATE THEATRE (STUDIO)
HARROGATE
BOX OFFICE: 01423 502 116 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- FEB 10 - 2.45PM & 7.45PM - HARROGATE THEATRE (STUDIO)
HARROGATE
BOX OFFICE: 01423 502 116 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- FEB 13 - 7.30PM - MARSDEN MECHANICS, MARSDEN
21-23 PEEL ST, MARSDEN, HUDDERSFIELD HD7 6BW
BOX OFFICE: 01484 844587/ 07949635910 / info@marsdenmechanics.co.uk / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- FEB 14 - POLISH EAGLE CLUB, NOTTINGHAM
BOX OFFICE: Liam 07746620779 /07949635910 / WEBSITE
- FEB 15 - 7.00PM - CREATE THEATRE
DERBY ROAD, MANSFIELD NG18 5BH
BOX OFFICE: 07746 620779 / WEBSITE
- FEB 16 - 7.45PM - DORCHESTER ARTS CENTRE
THE CORN EXCHANGE, HIGH E ST, DORCHESTER DT1 1HF
BOX OFFICE: 01305 266926 / WEBSITE
- FEB 17 - BRIDPORT ARTS CENTRE
9 SOUTH ST, BRIDPORT DT6 3NR
BOX OFFICE: 01308 424 204 / WEBSITE
- FEB 18 - THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE (STUDIO)
ST GEORGES STREET IP1 3NF
- FEB 21 - 7.30PM - BLACKWOOD MINERS
HIGH ST, BLACKWOOD NP12 1AA
BOX OFFICE: 01495 227206 / WEBSITE
- FEB 22 - 8PM - THE PLOUGH ARTS CENTRE
9-11 FORE STREET, GREAT TORRINGTON, DEVON EX38 8HQ
BOX OFFICE: 01805 624624 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- FEB 23 - 7.30PM - HALSTOCK VILLAGE HALL, YEOVIL
LEIGH LN, YEOVIL BA22 9SH
BOX OFFICE: 01305 269512 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- FEB 26 - 7.30PM - STANTONBURY THEATRE, MILTON KEYNES
STANTONBURY ARTS & LEISURE, STANTONBURY, MILTON KEYNES MK14 6BN
BOX OFFICE: 01908 324466 / WEBSITE
- FEB 27 - 7.30PM - THE LANTERN THEATRE
18 KENWOOD PARK ROAD, SHEFFIELD, S7 1NF
BOX OFFICE: TicketSource - 0333 666 3366/ 0114 255 1776 / WEBSITE
- FEB 28 - 7.30PM - THE LANTERN THEATRE, SHEFFIELD
18 KENWOOD PARK ROAD, SHEFFIELD, S7 1NF
BOX OFFICE: 0333 666 3366 0114 255 1776 / WEBSITE
- MAR 1 - 7.30PM - THE LANTERN THEATRE
18 KENWOOD PARK ROAD, SHEFFIELD, S7 1NF
BOX OFFICE: 0333 666 3366 / WEBSITE
- MAR 2 - 7.30PM - THE LANTERN THEATRE, SHEFFIELD
18 KENWOOD PARK ROAD, SHEFFIELD, S7 1NF
BOX OFFICE: TicketSource - 0333 666 3366/0114 255 1776 / WEBSITE
- MAR 3 - 7.30PM - THE LANTERN THEATRE, SHEFFIELD
18 KENWOOD PARK ROAD, SHEFFIELD, S7 1NF
BOX OFFICE: 0333 666 3366 0114 255 1776 / WEBSITE
- MAR 5 - 7.30PM - MAC, BIRMINGHAM
CANNON HILL PARK, QUEEN'S RIDE, BIRMINGHAM B12 9QH
BOX OFFICE: 0121 446 3232 / WEBSITE
- MAR 6 - 7.30PM - DISS CORN HALL
10 ST NICHOLAS ST, DISS IP22 4LB
BOX OFFICE: 01379 652241 / WEBSITE
- MAR 7 - 8.00 PM - NORWICH ARTS CENTRE
51 ST. BENEDICT’S STREET, NORWICH, NR2 4PG
BOX OFFICE: 01603 660352 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- MAR 8 - 7.30PM - THE HAT FACTORY
65 - 67 BUTE STREET LUTON LU1 2EY
BOX OFFICE: 01582 878100 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- MAR 9 - 7.30PM - BROADWAY THEATRE
PETERBOROUGH
BOX OFFICE: 01733 306071 (select Option 1 for Box Office) / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- MAR 10 - 7.30PM - HELMSLEY ARTS CENTRE
HELMSLEY
BOX OFFICE: 01439 771700 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- MAR 11 - THEATRE ROYAL, MARGATE
ADDINGTON ST, MARGATE CT9 1PW
BOX OFFICE: 01843 292795 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- MAR 13 - 7.30PM - ADULT EDUCATION CENTRE, HANSOM HALL, LEICESTER
ADULT EDUCATION COLLEGE BELVOIR STREET LEICESTER LE1 6QL
BOX OFFICE: 07949635910 https://lineupnow.com/event/we-are-the-lions-mr-manger-by-neil-gore / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- MAR 14 - 7.30PM - CAST, DONACASTER
WATERDALE DONCASTER DN1 3BU
BOX OFFICE: (0)1302 303 959 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- MAR 15 - 7.30PM - FREEDOM CENTRE, HULL
THE VILLAGE CENTRE 97 PRESTON ROAD KINGSTON UPON HULL
BOX OFFICE: 01482 710100 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- MAR 21 - 7.30PM - WORTLEY HALL
5 WORTLEY VILLAGE, WORTLEY, SHEFFIELD S35 7DB
BOX OFFICE: 0114 288 2100 / WEBSITE
- MAR 22 - 7.30PM - SQUARE CHAPEL
10 SQUARE RD, HALIFAX HX1 1QG
BOX OFFICE: 01422 349 422 / WEBSITE
- MAR 23 - 7.30PM - THE CRAMPHORN THEATRE, CHELMSFORD
FAIRFIELD RD, CHELMSFORD CM1 1JG
BOX OFFICE: 01245 606 505 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- MAR 24 - WEST DEEPING VILLAGE HALL, LINCOLNSHIRE
KING STREET WEST DEEPING LINCOLNSHIRE PE6 9HP.
BOX OFFICE: 07771 903048 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- MAR 25 - ELECTRIC THEATRE
GUILDFORD
BOX OFFICE: 01483 501 200 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- MAR 27 - 7.00PM - UNITE THE UNION
JOHN SMITH HOUSE, 145/165 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, G2 4RZ
BOX OFFICE: rod-031@hotmail.com / WEBSITE
- MAR 28 - ARTHURSTONE COMMUNITY LIBRARY,
ARTHURSTONE TERRACE DUNDEE DD4 6RT
BOX OFFICE: dundeetuc@ymail.com / WEBSITE
- MAR 29 - 7.00PM - CLYDEBANK TOWN HALL
- MAR 30 - THE MALTINGS ART
EASTERN LN, BERWICK-UPON-TWEED TD15 1AJ
BOX OFFICE: 01289 330999 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- APR 3 - 7.30PM - THE OLD FIRE STATION, OXFORD
40 GEORGE STREET OXFORD OX1 2AQ
TICKETS
- APR 5 - 7.30PM - LYRIC THEATRE, CARMARTHEN
8 KING ST, CARMARTHEN SA31 1BD
BOX OFFICE: 0845 226 3510 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- APR 6 - 7.30PM - HEN AND CHICKEN
210 NORTH ST, BRISTOL BS3 1JF
BOX OFFICE: drbevismiller@gmail.com / WEBSITE
- APR 7 - 7.30PM - SAMAJ COMMUNITY CENTRE
MARDY ST, CARDIFF CF11 6QT
BOX OFFICE: 07811 167267 / WEBSITE
- APR 9 - BAPTIST CHURCH HALL
COLLEGE ROAD, HARROW HA1 1BA
BOX OFFICE: 07906 717969 / grunwicks@geecorp.com / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- APR 10 - THEATRE ROYAL, BURY ST EDMUNDS
WESTGATE ST, BURY SAINT EDMUNDS IP33 1QR
BOX OFFICE: 01284 755127 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- APR 11 - 7.30PM - FLASH MUSIC THEATRE
METHUEN ROAD, EDGWARE HA8 6EZ
BOX OFFICE: 07906 717969 / grunwicks@geecorp.com / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- APR 12 - 7.30PM - THE CIVIC, BARNSLEY
HANSON ST, BARNSLEY S70 2HZ
BOX OFFICE: 01226 327000 enquiries@barnsleycivic.co.uk / WEBSITE
- APR 13 - 7.30PM - GREENWICH THEATRE
CROOMS HILL, LONDON SE10 8ES
BOX OFFICE: 020 8858 7755 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- APR 14 - THE PLACE THEATRE, BEDFORD
BRADGATE RD, BEDFORD MK40 3DE
BOX OFFICE: 01234 354321 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- APR 19 - NORTH WEST LONDON COLLEGE (WILLESDEN CAMPUS)
WILLESDEN CAMPUS ENTRANCE ON DENZIL ROAD (OFF DUDDEN HILL LANE) LONDON NW10 2XD
BOX OFFICE: https://lineupnow.com/event/we-are-the-lions-mr-manager-4 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- APR 21 - 7.30PM - ROSE HILL THEATRE, WHITEHAVEN
MORESBY WHITEHAVEN CUMBRIA CA28 6SE
BOX OFFICE: 01946 692422 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- APR 24 - 7.30PM - STEPHEN JOSEPH THEATRE
WESTBOROUGH SCARBOROUGH, NORTH YORKSHIRE YO11 1JW
BOX OFFICE: 01723 370541 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- APR 25 - 7.30PM - WALLSEND MEMORIAL HALL & PEOPLE’S CENTRE, 10 FRANK ST, WALLSEND
WALLESND, NEWCASTLE -UPON-TYNE
BOX OFFICE: Contact: Martin president@newcastle-tuc.org.uk / WEBSITE
- APR 27 - 7.30PM - BIRNAM ARTS
BOX OFFICE: 01350 727674 / WEBSITE
TICKETS
- MAY 1 - 7.30PM - CENTRAL HALL, BELFAST
ROSEMARY ST. BELFAST
BOX OFFICE: lyndaernest@btinternet.com / WEBSITE
- MAY 4 - 7.30PM - EGO ARTS VENUE
SILVER STREET/COOK STREET, COVENTRY, CV1 1JN
- MAY 6 - 7.30PM - CHESTERFIELD TUC
CHESTERFIELD TUC
- MAY 8 - HERTFORD THEATRE
BOX OFFICE: 01992 531500 / WEBSITE
- MAY 10 - THE OLD COURT ROOM, BRIGHTON FESTIVAL
- MAY 11 - THE OLD COURT ROOM, BRIGHTON FESTIVAL
- MAY 12 - THE OLD COURT ROOM, BRIGHTON FESTIVAL
- MAY 13 - THE OLD COURT ROOM, BRIGHTON FESTIVA
L
No comments:
Post a Comment