Shrewsbury 24 play United We Stand tours from Sept

United We Stand is a new play by Neil Gore and it's based on the story of the "Shrewsbury 24" case of 1972, when 24 building workers were accused and three jailed for violent picketing and intimidating workers in Shropshire whilst protesting for better working conditions and more pay.

In the 1960s and 70s the UK’s building companies were making millions re-building the country, but building workers faced the most dangerous 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 culminated in the arrest of 24 builders in North Wales who were charged with offences including conspiracy to intimidate and affray. The "24" were prosecuted at Shrewsbury Crown Court in 1973 and three were jailed, including building workers Des Warren and Ricky Tomlinson.

Townsend Productions' piece is a two hander with the cast playing multiple roles, an it features popular and political songs about the strike re-arranged by renowned folk musician John Kirkpatrick and Ricky Tomlinson's poems from his time in prison, the production aims to bring the full story of the dispute to life.

The play is directed by Louise Townsend and designed by Amy Yardley.

United We Stand opens at the Lantern Theatre, Liverpool from 25 September -11 October and tours to the following venues:

25 Oct – Square Chapel, Halifax

3 – 4 November – Harrogate Theatre

19- 22 November – The Lantern Theatre, Sheffield