England, Arise!
The untold story of the Huddersfield Socialist Conscientious Objectors – and the women who supported them.
In 1914 the young men and women of Huddersfield Socialist Sunday School believe passionately in a better world. Inspired by the revolutionary art, music and literature of the times, Arthur Gardiner and Percy Ellis refuse to take arms against their fellow workers and fight in the First World War.
Buoyed on by the support of their community, both at home and abroad, they take on the military in a momentous battle. They suffer prison and brutality, and are taken to breaking point in a war of wills.
It costs them everything - except their conscience.
Supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England; England, Arise! is an exciting collaboration which delves into an untold seam of British history, unearthing a story passion, courage and utter belief in a better world.
Inspired by the book 'Comrades In Conscience', by Cyril Pearce, drawing on Jill Liddington's story of the Northern women's suffrage movement, 'Rebel Girls', and using first hand source material, England, Arise! brings to life a world of young people full of ideas, good humour and optimism for a brighter tomorrow.
For them power comes from knowledge, not a gun.
This is a story of hope.
In 1914 the young men and women of Huddersfield Socialist Sunday School believe passionately in a better world. Inspired by the revolutionary art, music and literature of the times, Arthur Gardiner and Percy Ellis refuse to take arms against their fellow workers and fight in the First World War.
Buoyed on by the support of their community, both at home and abroad, they take on the military in a momentous battle. They suffer prison and brutality, and are taken to breaking point in a war of wills.
It costs them everything - except their conscience.
Supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England; England, Arise! is an exciting collaboration which delves into an untold seam of British history, unearthing a story passion, courage and utter belief in a better world.
Inspired by the book 'Comrades In Conscience', by Cyril Pearce, drawing on Jill Liddington's story of the Northern women's suffrage movement, 'Rebel Girls', and using first hand source material, England, Arise! brings to life a world of young people full of ideas, good humour and optimism for a brighter tomorrow.
For them power comes from knowledge, not a gun.
This is a story of hope.
England, Arise!
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Tour Dates
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Writer
Mick Martin Director Jude Wright Designer Barney George Musical Directors Jamie Lockhart & Lee Smith Lighting Design Sherry Coenen Stage Manager Caroline Sheard CastSis Timmins
LAURA BONNAH Lavena Saltonstall / Lilian Lenton STEPHANIE BUTLER Arthur Gardiner CHRIS LINDON Isaac Timmins / Alfred Orage / John Watts MATTHEW BOOTH Percy Ellis JAMES BRITTON |
24 & 25 October
LAWRENCE BATLEY THEATRE Huddersfield 30 & 31 October KARDOMAH 94 Hull 1 November CARRIAGEWORKS THEATRE Leeds 4 November CAST Doncaster 7 November SUNDERLAND STAGES Royalty Theatre, Sunderland 9 November SQUARE CHAPEL Halifax 10 & 11 November MECHANICS THEATRE Wakefield 14 & 15 November PEOPLE'S HISTORY MUSEUM Manchester 18 & 19 November PIONEERS MUSEUM Rochdale |
Feedback:
“A fantastic play that brings together the world changing elements of that period into an emotional and provoking performance and draws unnerving parallels a century later. Probably the best thing I've seen at the LBT.”
Audience Member, LBT
“This magnificent production, was challengingly programmed in Armistice week. The play immediately avoids the trap of most agit-prop theatre... No easy answers are provided by the play. However we as the audience are left to examine the dilemmas faced by these brave young revolutionaries. As we leave the theatre we need to examine what the lessons are for us to learn and influence our lives and the socialist future. The important thing is to see this play – this is real theatre and not Shaftesbury Avenue shenanigans.”
John Wheeler, Review, Socialist Standard
“England Arise! was a great addition to our second space programme in Autumn. Audiences really enjoyed the quality of the work and it gave a new perspective on the subject of the First World War – refreshing when you consider how many plays on the subject are currently available to programmers! The subject itself also spoke loudly about messages vital to today, it wasn’t just a play stuck in the past – and this created interesting debate and discussion after the event.”
Graham Whitehead, Head of Marketing and Communications, Cast
“England Arise! transformed the Rochdale Pioneers Museum and showed the potential for holding further drama performances in the future despite it being a relatively small space. With no theatre venue in Rochdale Town Centre the performances of England Arise! provided a cultural activity not usually on offer in the area and enabled the Museum to attract a new audience that had not previously visited. England Arise! was a very professional and well received performance and it was a pleasure to work with Mick, Jude and the team. We would be very interested in working with you again in the future for performances with a similar historical and topical focus. Thanks again for bringing a great production to the Museum.”
Jennifer Mabbott, Museum Manager, Rochdale Pioneers Museum
“Thanks again for a great show last night and for your talk for the students. I really enjoyed it, and like going to a play where you listen to a carefully argued dialectic. Here are two comments from my students, amongst many other positive ones: ‘I didn’t know what socialism meant until last night.’ ‘I didn’t think theatre could work so well in such a small space.’”
Richard Vergette, Teacher, Ackworth School, Wakefield.
“It has been a pleasure to take on the tour booking for a project as wonderful as England, Arise! Amongst a plethora of First World War related productions, this has stood out not only as a refreshing and new perspective on the remembrance season, but also as a quality and important piece of work. Venues have been exceptionally receptive, especially those with local links and interest in the story. It has been brilliant to see an account of events one hundred years ago made so relevant to happenings in today’s society. Younger audiences have certainly found something to take away from seeing this show, besides just a history lesson.”
Jen Sullivan, Dep Arts Producer
“The cast transferred their enthusiasm for roles and the true story of friendship and conscience to the audience. They entertained from start to finish, making you wonder what strength of character we would have if we ever had to face such circumstances. The themes remain current, 100 years on.”
Malcolm Scott, Kardomah 94, Hull
Generously supported by:
Arts Council, England, The Amiel and Melburn Trust, The Lipman Miliband Trust, The Co-operative Society,
The Lawrence Batley Theatre, The University of Huddersfield, Kirklees Community Heritage Team,
Wakefield Libraries, Dep Arts, East 15 Drama School and East Street Arts.
Arts Council, England, The Amiel and Melburn Trust, The Lipman Miliband Trust, The Co-operative Society,
The Lawrence Batley Theatre, The University of Huddersfield, Kirklees Community Heritage Team,
Wakefield Libraries, Dep Arts, East 15 Drama School and East Street Arts.
