Yorkshire’s The Melting Shop tours Ray Castleton’s ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE, powerful play about the struggles affecting mining communities
Yorkshire theatre company The Melting Shop takes Ray Castleton’s powerful drama about post-war mining family on major tour
The Melting Shop presents
ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLEOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Written by Ray Castleton; Directed by Charlie Kenber; 25 May – 20 July 2018.
The story of a post-war mining family coming to terms with their rapidly changing world –ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE embarks on its first major tour, playing 28 venues across Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Greater Manchester from 25 May – 20 July2018. ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE is the second full-scale production by Yorkshire theatre company The Melting Shop: co-founded by playwright and performer Ray Castleton (CHICKEN SOUP, Sheffield Theatres), and producer and actor David Chafer (national tour of THE DAMNED UNITED, Red Ladder Theatre Company).
Written by Ray Castleton, this powerful play reveals the struggle that affected millions from mining communities in the face of enormous political and social change, in a family drama filled with warmth, humour and realism.
Set in a Yorkshire mining town, it follows George Mason, his wife Connie, their son – returning solider Tom – and Tom’s fiancée Liz; from the immediate aftermath of the war to Coronation year, 1953. Tom Mason returns from the war to the arms of his grateful mother and fiancée – and to the bosom of the pit. George fights his own battles and an election. Connie mourns, loves and unites as Liz sees a new world brim-full of opportunity. In a new Britain, will their hopes and dreams be reconciled?
Playwright Ray Castleton says:
“On Behalf of the People is based on extensive research about the people who lived in mining communities just after the war and how the aftermath of the war and the massive change – the election of the post war Labour government, nationalisation, the new health service and the development of social housing – impacted on their lives. I was keen to write a story about real people and how their lives and relationships changed; the audience reaction we received last year confirms that this story touches people with its authenticity and honesty.”
The Melting Shop’s powerful new play sheds light on how communities were affected by the end of the war, coal nationalisation and the huge period of social change which impacted on their lives, love, hopes and dreams. It was originally commissioned by the National Coal Mining Museum as part of its programme of activities marking 70 years since the nationalisation of the UK coal mining industry.
Last year it premiered to great acclaim at the National Coal Mining Museum and a short and highly successful run of community venues across Yorkshire and Derbyshire followed. The production now embarks on its first major tour, making 34 performances across 28 venues spanning regional theatres, community venues and ex-mining villages across Yorkshire, Derby and Derbyshire, and playing at the Buxton Festival Fringe and Greater Manchester Fringe.
ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE is directed by Charlie Kenber, former Resident Assistant Director at Sheffield Theatres. The cast is Sheffield-based actors Ray
Ashcroft (George Mason) best known for his long-running TV role in THE BILL; Kate Wood (Connie) a well-known theatre performer with credits including a
national tour of THE FULL MONTYand BRASSED OFF at Derby Playhouse. Tom is played by Rotherham actor Danny Mellor whose work includes
UNDERMINED, his one-man play abut the miner’s strike, and BLISTER in association with Paines Plough. Doncaster’s Lizzie Frain plays Liz, her credits include Mike Leigh’s forthcoming film PETERLOO.
3 & 4 July International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Manchester, 7pm, £12/£10. On the door or 07903 684676 (The Melting Shop ticket line) www.greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk
