THE STORY of the 1984/5 miners' strike is built out of thousands of individual tales of heroism, sacrifice and humour as they unfolded day by day. Many of these will never be known beyond small handfuls of people. One of the most dramatic centres on the tiny group of striking miners and their families — the 'Dirty 30' — who fight on still against the apathy and self-interest of the 2,500 scab-led playwright and four actors SLACCLANE ing seen from pit virages io the Edinburgh Festival and was recently put on in Last London. It's full of comedy and songs, politically spot on - free high-faluting rhetoric.
action revolves around four main Johnny, striking miner, Cath — his wife, who worked throughout the Julie and their father Bill.
Through this device all the personal implications of the strike emerge as well as the wider political implications.
Very little is fictional, although the characters are representative rather than actual. This make: he play absorbing. The in ple, of the striking was home along with his younger sister ..month-eld-son who.was ..'Red put in a cell alone. The screaming child could be heard continuously while police grilled the father about such things as his sex life with his wife.
The two sisters portray the development of women. Their LOUISE and daughters show how Licy oring tell own Daltles as women into the into conflict SLENCEL sometimes with their husbands and fathers making their contribution on their own terms.
The timing, acting anc singing are terrific. songs highlight various stages of the strike political aspects such as: 'There ain't nothing like a loneliness long distance runner as drags on. The olic about Nei Kinnock to the tune of the cHag then of tig. Spacestershire. response the audience drawn from the local miners' support committee and the finale 'The Song of Coal' brought people forward fighting political perspec tive.
The title refers to a saying - with the sun on our acks a miner will never g Latel Dirty down pit again and making a good fight to keep Leicestershire miners with the national of their leaderş, Mick Richmond, drew the evening to a close with his comrade Roy Butlin from the Coalville railworkers who shared the hard times together.
The play is on tour now. Terms are negotiable with Winstor Nicholl on Leicester (0533) 559711 or c/o The Utility Theatre Co., Magazine WorkNewarke St;
the breakaway Campaigning in Notts THE Fresh arks ne