Upper Clyde Shipbuilders a new play: Yes! Yes! U.C.S.!
Townsend Theatre Productions in association with Manchester University present the story of the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders (UCS) using their trademark integration of live rock and folk inspired music, sound and visual effects to enhance the powerful theatrical story-telling, to intensify the emotional engagement and audience enthusiasm for meaningful and important messages of hope, social justice and improvements in quality of life.
Yes! Yes! U.C.S! is a celebration of the community solidarity, collective resistance and the vital support that made the ‘Work In’ such a massive success. John Lennon and Yoko Ono sent a bunch of roses with message for the people of Glasgow; it read:
“Power to the People!”
REVIEWS
- "Come With us, run with us we're going to change the world' Lynne Walsh The Morning Star Read the full review
- 'Tells the story of the Clydeside Shipbuilder work-in as a two-hander with excellent writing, innovative staging and amazing attention to detail. ' IKE AWARD for 'OUTSTANDING THEATRE' Chris Neville-Smith Read the full review
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" It'll leave you wondering, does it get any better!'
Ron Simpson Reviews Hub Read the full review - 'A theatrical triumph of British working-class history.' Claire Jenns The Voice Magazine Read the full review
- 'Superbly played and sung ..... compassionate commemoration' Joyce McMillan The Scotsman Read the full review
- 'Yes! Yes! UCS! is real, raw, and riveting'. Amber O' Connell Yorkshire Live Read the full review
- ‘The balance between human interest & the bigger picture is well struck, & the show’s themes & motifs certainly remain relevant today’ Sara Smith Musical Theatre Review Read the full review
- 'Inspiring true story of workers’ power' Phil Turner Socialist Worker Read the full review
- 'A big story wittily told in word and song' Clare Brennan The Observer Read the full review
- 'Tour De Force' Jimmy Cloughley (UCS work-in veteran)
It’s 1971 and Aggy McGraw, straight out of school, gets an office job at Fairfields shipyard in Govan a week before the new Tory government decides to stop any investment in what they call ‘lame duck’ industries, which includes shipbuilding on the Clyde. Facing an uncertain future, she has nothing to lose, except her job, and is swept up into the famous ‘Work In’ to demonstrate to the government that shipbuilding has a future - that the jobs, traditions, skills and communities can be saved.
Townsend Theatre Productions’ new play Yes! Yes! U.C.S! is a celebration of the community solidarity and collective resistance inspired and led by Upper Clyde Shipbuilders’ shop stewards Jimmy’s Reid and Airlie, attracting massive national and international support that led to victory in the fight for Right to Work.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono sent a bunch of roses
with message for the people of Glasgow; it read:
“Power to the People!”
TOUR DATES
- Feb 15 - Working Class Movement Library, Salford 51 Crescent, Salford M5 4WX TICKETS
- Feb 16 - Working Class Movement Library, Salford 51 Crescent, Salford M5 4WX BOX OFFICE: 0161 736 3601 / WEBSITE
- Feb 17 - Working Class Movement Library, Salford 51 Crescent, Salford M5 4WX BOX OFFICE: 07762 159115 / WEBSITE
- Feb 18 - 7.30pm - Kairos/Westcliffe Hall, Harlow Terr, Harrogate 2 HARLOW TERRACE, HARROGATE HG2 0PN BOX OFFICE: 01423 560558 / WEBSITE TICKETS: £12
- Feb 21 - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough BSL Westborough, Scarborough, YO11 1JW BOX OFFICE: 01723 370541 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Feb 22 - The Lantern Theatre Sheffield 18 Kenwood Park Rd, Nether Edge, Sheffield, S7 1NF BOX OFFICE: 0114 255 1776 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Feb 23 - The Lantern Theatre Sheffield 18 Kenwood Park Rd, Nether Edge, Sheffield, S7 1NF BOX OFFICE: 0114 255 1776 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Feb 24 - The Lantern theatre Sheffield 18 Kenwood Park Rd, Nether Edge, Sheffield ,S7 1NF BOX OFFICE: 0114 255 1776 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Feb 25 - The Lantern Theatre Sheffield 18 Kenwood Park Rd, Nether Edge, Sheffield S7 1NF TICKETS
- Feb 26 - The Lantern Theatre Sheffield 18 Kenwood Park Rd, Nether Edge, Sheffield, S7 1NF BOX OFFICE: 0114 255 1776 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Mar 1 - Cast, Doncaster Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU BOX OFFICE: 01302 303959 / WEBSITE TICKETS: £14
- Mar 2 - Cast, Doncaster Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BU BOX OFFICE: 01302 303959 / WEBSITE TICKETS: £14
- Mar 3 - Seven Arts Theatre, Chapel Allerton, Leeds 31A Harrogate Rd, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, LS7 3PD BOX OFFICE: 0113 262 6777 / WEBSITE
- Mar 4 - Seven Arts Theatre, Chapel Allerton, Leeds BSL 31A Harrogate Rd, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, LS7 3PD BOX OFFICE: 0113 262 6777 / WEBSITE
- Mar 5 - Imperial Rooms, Matlock Matlock DE4 3NL BOX OFFICE: venables_keith@yahoo.co.uk / WEBSITE
- Mar 8 - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth 147b Albert Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 0JW BOX OFFICE: 023 9286 3911 / WEBSITE TICKETS: Tickets: £12
- Mar 9 - 7.30pm - Victory Club, Beeston, Nottingham 67 Station Rd, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2AW BOX OFFICE: liam.conway@nottsnut.co.uk / WEBSITE
- Mar 10 - The Ropery, Barton-On-Humber Maltkiln Road Barton upon Humber North, Lincolnshire, DN18 5JT BOX OFFICE: 01652 660380 / WEBSITE TICKETS: £13
- Mar 11 - Marsden Mechanics Hall, West Yorkshire Peel St, Marsden, Huddersfield, HD7 6BW BOX OFFICE: 01484 844587 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Mar 12 - Golden Friendship Community Hall Clydebank BSL 18 Nairn Pl, Clydebank, G81 4AU BOX OFFICE: 07957 568330 / WEBSITE TICKETS: Email: tam_morrison@yahoo.co.uk
- Mar 12 - 10.00 am - A DAY OF TALKS & MUSIC at Golden Friendship Community Hall Clydebank 18 Nairn Pl, Clydebank, G81 4AU TICKETS: A DAY'S FREE WORKSHOP EVENT But by ticket only
- Mar 13 - Severn Theatre, Shrewsbury BSL Frankwell Quay, Frankwell, Shrewsburym, SY3 8FT BOX OFFICE: 01743 281281 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Mar 15 - 8.00PM - Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton Dunkley St, Wolverhampton WV1 4AN BOX OFFICE: 01902 572 090 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Mar 16 - 7:30PM - Sands Film Studios, London 82 Saint Marychurch St, London, SE16 4HZ BOX OFFICE: 020 7231 2209 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Mar 17 - 7:30PM - Sands Film Studios, London 82 Saint Marychurch St, London, SE16 4HZ BOX OFFICE: 020 7231 2209 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Mar 18 - 7:30PM - Portland Royal Manor Theatre 138A Fortuneswell, Portland DT5 1LT BOX OFFICE: 03336 663366 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Mar 19 - 7.30pm - Studland Village Hall Heath Green Rd, Studland, Swanage BH19 3BT BOX OFFICE: 03336 663366 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Mar 22 - 7:00PM - No. 1 Celtic Sports Club, Irvine Bridgegate KA12 8 BQ BOX OFFICE: 07826127759 / WEBSITE TICKETS: Tickets can be ordered by phoning or texting Arthur West on 07826127759 or email arthurwest7@hotmail
- Mar 23 - 7:30PM - Birchvale Theatre, Dalbeattie Dalbeattie, DG5 4AR BOX OFFICE: 07717 676254 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Mar 24 - 7:30PM - Tyneside Irish Centre, Newcastle 43 Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4SG BOX OFFICE: 0191 261 0384 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Mar 25 - 7:00PM - Maltings Arts Centre, Berwick-on-Tweed Eastern Ln, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1AJ BOX OFFICE: 01289 330999 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Mar 26 - 7:30PM - Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven Whitehaven, CA28 6SE BOX OFFICE: 01946 692422 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Mar 28 - 8.00pm - The Pearce Institute Govan Glasgow Scotland G51 3UU BOX OFFICE: 01414456007 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Mar 29 - 7.00pm - Quorn Grange Hotel, Loughborough 88 Wood Ln, Quorn, Loughborough LE12 8DB TICKETS
- Mar 30 - 7:30PM - Arts Centre, Southwold St Edmund's Hall, Cumberland Road, Southwold, IP18 6JP BOX OFFICE: 01502 722572 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Mar 31 - 7:30PM - Corn Hall, Diss 10 St Nicholas St, Diss, IP22 4LB, TICKETS TBC BOX OFFICE: 01379 652241 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Apr 1 - 7.30pm - Village Hall, Geddington, Kettering BOX OFFICE: 0758 1210454 / WEBSITE TICKETS: Email or call 0758 1210454 / johnpadwick@talk21.com
- Apr 2 - 8:00PM - Lighthouse, Poole's 21 Kingland Rd, Poole, BH15 1UG BOX OFFICE: 01202 280000 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Apr 5 - 8:00PM - Alma Tavern Theatre, Bristol 18-20 Alma Vale Rd, Clifton, Clifton, Avon, Bristol, BS8 2HY BOX OFFICE: 0117 973 5171 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Apr 6 - 8:00PM - Alma Tavern Theatre, Bristol 18-20 Alma Vale Rd, Clifton, Clifton, Avon, Bristol, BS8 2HY BOX OFFICE: 0117 973 5171 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Apr 7 - 7.30pm - Volcano Theatre Swansea 27-29 High St, Swansea SA1 1LG TICKETS
- Apr 8 - 7:30PM - Arts Centre, Crediton, Devon East St, Crediton, EX17 3AX BOX OFFICE: 01363 773260 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Apr 9 - 7:00PM - Soapbox Theatre, Plymouth Just inside Devonport Park at the corner of Milne Place and, Exmouth Rd, Plymouth PL1 4QH BOX OFFICE: 07449 724261 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Apr 10 - 4:00PM - The Plough Arts Centre, Torrington 9-11 Fore St, Great Torrington, Torrington EX38 8HQ BOX OFFICE: 01805 624624 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Apr 12 - 7PM - New York Stadium, Rotherham Brooklyn Suite Level 1, New York Way, S60 1FJ BOX OFFICE: 07810824223 / WEBSITE TICKETS: £10
- Apr 13 - 7:30PM - The Place Bedford BSL Bradgate Rd, Bedford MK40 3DE BOX OFFICE: 01234 354321 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Apr 14 - 7:30PM - Public Hall and Theatre, Beccles Smallgate, Beccles NR34 9AD BOX OFFICE: 01502 770060 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Apr 19 - 8:00PM - Epsom Playhouse 42 Ashley Ave, Epsom, KT18 5AL, BOX OFFICE: 01372 742555 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Apr 20 - 7:30PM - Sands Film Studios London BSL 82 Saint Marychurch St, London SE16 4HZ BOX OFFICE: 020 7231 2209 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Apr 21 - 8.00pm - Caroline Street Social Club Saltaire West Yorkshire TICKETS: Info: marisaaitken52@gmail.com
- Apr 22 - 5pm - Friends’ Meeting House, Manchester BSL 6 Mount St, Manchester, M2 5NS BOX OFFICE: info@townsendproductions.org.uk / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Apr 23 - 7:00PM - St Columbkille’s Hall, Rutherglen Main Street Rutherglen BOX OFFICE: Geraldine Baird 01416477779 / WEBSITE
- Apr 24 - 7:30PM - St John the Baptist Church Hall Main Street, Fauldhouse, West Lothian EH47 BOX OFFICE: info@unityconsulting.scot or from Neil Findlay on 07881 512 341 / WEBSITE
- Apr 26 - 7.30pm - Arts Centre, Birnam BOX OFFICE: 01350 727 674 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Apr 27 - 7pm - North Edinburgh Arts @ West Pilton Neigbourhood Centre 19 West Pilton Grove, Edinburgh EH4 4BY BOX OFFICE: 0131 315 2151 / WEBSITE TICKETS
- Apr 28 - 7:30PM - Kirkby Stephen Sports & Social Club Market Street Cumbria CA17 4QN BOX OFFICE: 017683 71885 / WEBSITE TICKETS: Email: Kate@kirkbystephencommunityarts.co.uk
- Apr 29 - 7:30PM - Wreay Village Hall Chapel Hill Carlisle Cumbria CA4 0RL BOX OFFICE: 07551 657618 / WEBSITE TICKETS: Email: kath.halfpenny@yahoo.co.uk
- Apr 30 - 7:30PM - Melmerby Village Hall Church Road Penrith Cumbria CA10 1HD BOX OFFICE: 01768 882498 / WEBSITE TICKETS: Email: robertrobbed@aol.com
- May 1 - 7:30PM - Arnside Educational Institute Church Hill Arnside Carnforth Cumbria LA5 0DF BOX OFFICE: 01524762254 / WEBSITE TICKETS: Email: suediane57@gmail.com