Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives! Red Ladder Theatre's We're Not Going Back - 25th September 2014, CAST, Doncaster

Red Ladder Theatre's We're Not Going Back

(Image Credit: Red Ladder Theatre Company)

Red Ladder Theatre's We're Not Going Back, is about the lives of three sisters, Isobel (played by Claire-Marie Seddon), Mary (played by Stacey Sampson) and Olive (played by Victoria Brazier). Written by Boff Whalley and directed by Rod Dixon, the sisters' lives link the duration of the 1984/85 Miners Strike.  The agitprop musical comedy shares the story of women's proactive role during the strike in Carston, a fictitious mining village in South Yorkshire.  They set up a women's branch for protesting against pit closures and the focal point is their resilience dealing with the strike, the political and economics stances and the determination for their voices to be heard.  

Red Ladder Theatre's We're Not Going Back

(Photo Credit: Tim Smith)

The circumstances gives them the opportunity to explore their identities.  It is refreshing to see the musical focusing solely on the women who are representing their communities and its values and not solely on the politics.  Their personal journeys certainly move one and all as many, no doubt, can relate to their pledges.  The modern suffragette movement certainly gives an accurate picture how things really were during those battles which were fought as well as those between the miners and the Government.

Beccy Owen musically leads the uneasy journey of the three sisters with some beautiful soul searching and mood catching songs and music,  The songs accurately and movingly describe their plight whenever the sisters face personal, political and financial obstacles with some wit and humour thrown in.  The struggles test the siblings' relationships but their determination and steadfastness focuses on the bigger picture.

 

Red Ladder Theatre's We're Not Going Back

(Photo Credit: Tim Smith)

We're Not Going Back is the perfect alternative source of information for anyone who is curious about the Miners Strike 30 years ago and how it personally affected the members of the communities.  Red Ladder Theatre Company takes pride in researching and presenting productions about ordinary people with extraordinary lives.  A company worth supporting who will in return give you two hours or so incredible story telling!  A must see play!

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