A new drama set around the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs will be premiered at Marsden Mechanics.
Following a sold-out national tour of their last production The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, Townsend Productions will perform We Will Be Free on Saturday September 14.
Set in 1834, We Will Be Free follows the extraordinary true story of George and Betsy Loveless.
He was a Methodist preacher and the leader of the six Dorsetshire farm labourers who were tried, convicted and condemned to harsh transportation by an oppressive Government.
Their only crime was to swear a secret oath and form a union to fight against a succession of wage cuts inflicted by the local landowner.
The story is told using an entertaining theatrical style.
It includes Andy Vine’s powerful political cartoons and animation, puppetry and musical arrangements by renowned folk singer and squeezebox player John Kirkpatrick.
We Will Be Free’s excellent cast features Neil Gore (Song of Singapore, West End and Chichester Festival Theatre, Little Britain Live and The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists) and Elizabeth Eves recently nominated for acting excellence by The Stage, Edinburgh 2013.
The production is directed by Louise Townsend and Richard Stone with the creative team including designs by Jo Barber, cartoons by Andy Vine and lighting by Brian O’Carroll.
The production will also feature songs from John Kirkpatrick.
During his career John has worked with artists like Roy Bailey, John Tams, Richard Thompson, Martin Carthy and Steeleye Span.
He is also a regular session musician and has played on numerous film sound tracks most recently the Oscar nominated The Pirates in an Adventure with Scientists as well as in the Royal National Theatre Production of Lark Rise To Candleford.
Tickets are priced at £11 or £9 concessions and are available from the Box Office on 01484 844587 or online at www.marsdenmechanics.co.uk .
