Updates from the Workers Theatre Movement Project Team about the play project taking place at Hope Street Theatre in June 2025.

Aims

To celebrate and publicise the work of the Workers Theatre Movement of the 20s and 30s in a creative artistic modern way.

Outcomes

• 5 practical workshops exploring the techniques and work of the Workers Theatre Movement, generating and developing original material for the final Hope Street Theatre show, June 6 -8.
• An original play, “Unity”, about a 30s agitprop group to be performed at the Hope Street Theatre final show.
• 3 modern Living Newspapers, creatively recreating the Living Newspapers of the Workers Theatre Movement in a modern context to be performed at the Hope Street Theatre final show.

Where we are up to…..

Modern Living Newspapers
We’ve had some great stuff submitted for these and already have about enough for nearly two 45 minute “Living Newspapers.” But writers, we are still looking for more. To give you, and any actors who would like to act in them, more of an idea of what we’re after, we’ve booked Studio 3 at the Arts Bar Hope Street on Tuesday 25th February (6.30-8.30pm) for a reading and discussion on what we’re looking for .

“Unity”, the original play about a 30s agitprop group
We’ve booked Studio 2 at the Arts Bar Hope Street on Wednesday March 5th (7-9pm) for a reading of the play to give actors interested an idea of what it’s like and to decide if they want to audition.

5 practical workshops
These will explore the techniques of the Workers Theatre Movement and have been booked at Valley Theatre starting Monday 3rd March (7-9pm)……. these workshops will help writers and actors get more of an idea of what is required and are aimed at workshopping and developing pieces for the final performance.

(Rehearsals for the final show will follow after negotiation with actors and venues.)

Key dates in a nutshell

Tue 25th Feb, 6.30pm – Arts Bar Hope Street. Living Newspapers, reading and discussion

Mon 3rd March, 7pm – Valley Theatre. Workshops on techniques of Workers Theatre Movement begin.

Wed 5th March, 7pm – Arts Bar Hope Street. Reading of play “Unity”

Friday 6th – Sun 8th June, 7.30pm – Hope Street Theatre. Final show

https://www.ticketquarter.co.uk/Online/article/workers-theatre-movement-project

Breaking news

Valley Theatre Group have decided to enter their Living Newspaper for the Leverhulme Drama festival in April!!!

Actors, if you’re interested in helping out by reading a part or helping out at any of the workshops/readings, please get in touch!

As always, don’t hesitate to email us with any queries and hope to see you at the events above.

Top tip for an idea for a Living Newspaper sketch. Number of no-marks in new year’s honours list given honours for brown nosing/doing as they’re told/having a lot of money. (Read January’s Private Eye page 28!) Worthy of a satirical sketch.

Cheers the Project Team