WE ARE THE LIONS MR MANAGER

We Are The Lions, Mr. Manager!’ is the remarkable story of Jayaben Desai the inspirational leader of the 1976-78 Grunwick Film Processing Factory Strike.

She was recently amongst the women who have had the biggest impact on women’s lives over the past 70 years as part of the Radio 4 Women’s Hour Power List.She brought the issue of workplace exploitation and racism to the fore, challenged the perception of Asian women being inherently passive and docile, whilst having the measure of the most brutish and charmless of her managers, telling them:

“What you are running here is not a factory, it is a zoo. But in a zoo there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys who dance on your fingertips, others are lions who can bite your head off. We are the lions, Mr. Manager!”

She not only stood up for workers’ rights and against oppression with selfless dedication, but with her steadfast resolve, she turned the dispute into a national movement for human rights and dignity inspiring future generations. 

Neil Gore (writer) said: “In our work we aim to focus on the lives and contributions of inspirational and vital figures from our social history, often forgotten, who campaigned vigorously to improve the quality of life for everyone. Jayaben Desai is one such figure. She tirelessly fought on behalf of immigrant workers against exploitative employment practice; fearlessly faced all the elements of establishment authority; alerted many in the trade union movement to the issues of vulnerability of immigrant workers; and highlighted the fight to maintain basic trade union rights. Her resolve and courage should be remembered and celebrated. Also, Grunwick raised many wide-ranging questions about trade unionism, rights in the workplace and dignity at work - themes that still resonate and are relevant today.”

Medhavi Patel (actress) said: “I am so excited to be playing Jayaben Desai in this important play about the Grunwick Strike. I am a distant relative of Jayaben's, and although I didn't know her personally her story is one that inspires me as a woman from a Gujarati background.

“I think there are so many hidden role models within Indian culture. There are so many amazing women and men in our communities doing some amazing things but you don't hear about them.

“Jayaben's story is one that deserves to be told again and again, and I am honoured to be playing her.

http://www.townsendproductions.org.uk/shows/we-are-the-lions-mr-manager/#tourdates•

TOUR DATES

FEB 5 - 7.45PM - HARROGATE THEATRE (STUDIO) 
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FEB 6 - 7.45PM - HARROGATE THEATRE (STUDIO) 
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FEB 7 - 7.45PM - HARROGATE THEATRE (STUDIO) 
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FEB 8 - 7.45PM - HARROGATE THEATRE (STUDIO) 
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FEB 9 - 7.45PM - HARROGATE THEATRE (STUDIO) 
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BOX OFFICE: 01423 502 116 / WEBSITE 
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FEB 10 - 2.45PM & 7.45PM - HARROGATE THEATRE (STUDIO) 
HARROGATE 
BOX OFFICE: 01423 502 116 / WEBSITE 
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FEB 13 - 7.30PM - MARSDEN MECHANICS, MARSDEN 
21-23 PEEL ST, MARSDEN, HUDDERSFIELD HD7 6BW 
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FEB 14 - POLISH EAGLE CLUB, NOTTINGHAM 
BOX OFFICE: Liam 07746620779 /07949635910 / WEBSITE
FEB 15 - 7.00PM - CREATE THEATRE 
DERBY ROAD, MANSFIELD NG18 5BH 
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FEB 16 - 7.45PM - DORCHESTER ARTS CENTRE 
THE CORN EXCHANGE, HIGH E ST, DORCHESTER DT1 1HF 
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FEB 17 - BRIDPORT ARTS CENTRE 
9 SOUTH ST, BRIDPORT DT6 3NR 
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FEB 18 - THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE (STUDIO) 
ST GEORGES STREET IP1 3NF
FEB 21 - 7.30PM - BLACKWOOD MINERS 
HIGH ST, BLACKWOOD NP12 1AA 
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FEB 22 - 8PM - THE PLOUGH ARTS CENTRE 
9-11 FORE STREET, GREAT TORRINGTON, DEVON EX38 8HQ 
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FEB 23 - 7.30PM - HALSTOCK VILLAGE HALL, YEOVIL 
LEIGH LN, YEOVIL BA22 9SH 
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FEB 26 - 7.30PM - STANTONBURY THEATRE, MILTON KEYNES 
STANTONBURY ARTS & LEISURE, STANTONBURY, MILTON KEYNES MK14 6BN 
BOX OFFICE: 01908 324466 / WEBSITE
FEB 27 - 7.30PM - THE LANTERN THEATRE 
18 KENWOOD PARK ROAD, SHEFFIELD, S7 1NF 
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FEB 28 - 7.30PM - THE LANTERN THEATRE, SHEFFIELD 
18 KENWOOD PARK ROAD, SHEFFIELD, S7 1NF 
BOX OFFICE: 0333 666 3366 0114 255 1776 / WEBSITE
MAR 1 - 7.30PM - THE LANTERN THEATRE 
18 KENWOOD PARK ROAD, SHEFFIELD, S7 1NF 
BOX OFFICE: 0333 666 3366 / WEBSITE
MAR 2 - 7.30PM - THE LANTERN THEATRE, SHEFFIELD 
18 KENWOOD PARK ROAD, SHEFFIELD, S7 1NF 
BOX OFFICE: TicketSource - 0333 666 3366/0114 255 1776 / WEBSITE
MAR 3 - 7.30PM - THE LANTERN THEATRE, SHEFFIELD 
18 KENWOOD PARK ROAD, SHEFFIELD, S7 1NF 
BOX OFFICE: 0333 666 3366 0114 255 1776 / WEBSITE
MAR 5 - 7.30PM - MAC, BIRMINGHAM 
CANNON HILL PARK, QUEEN'S RIDE, BIRMINGHAM B12 9QH 
BOX OFFICE: 0121 446 3232 / WEBSITE
MAR 6 - 7.30PM - DISS CORN HALL 
10 ST NICHOLAS ST, DISS IP22 4LB 
BOX OFFICE: 01379 652241 / WEBSITE
MAR 7 - 8.00 PM - NORWICH ARTS CENTRE 
51 ST. BENEDICT’S STREET, NORWICH, NR2 4PG 
BOX OFFICE: 01603 660352 / WEBSITE 
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MAR 8 - 7.30PM - THE HAT FACTORY 
65 - 67 BUTE STREET LUTON LU1 2EY 
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MAR 9 - 7.30PM - BROADWAY THEATRE 
PETERBOROUGH 
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MAR 10 - 7.30PM - HELMSLEY ARTS CENTRE 
HELMSLEY 
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MAR 11 - THEATRE ROYAL, MARGATE 
ADDINGTON ST, MARGATE CT9 1PW 
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MAR 13 - 7.30PM - ADULT EDUCATION CENTRE, HANSOM HALL, LEICESTER 
ADULT EDUCATION COLLEGE BELVOIR STREET LEICESTER LE1 6QL 
BOX OFFICE: 07949635910 https://lineupnow.com/event/we-are-the-lions-mr-manger-by-neil-gore / WEBSITE 
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MAR 14 - 7.30PM - CAST, DONACASTER 
WATERDALE DONCASTER DN1 3BU 
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MAR 15 - 7.30PM - FREEDOM CENTRE, HULL 
THE VILLAGE CENTRE 97 PRESTON ROAD KINGSTON UPON HULL 
BOX OFFICE: 01482 710100 / WEBSITE 
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MAR 21 - 7.30PM - WORTLEY HALL 
5 WORTLEY VILLAGE, WORTLEY, SHEFFIELD S35 7DB 
BOX OFFICE: 0114 288 2100 / WEBSITE
MAR 22 - 7.30PM - SQUARE CHAPEL 
10 SQUARE RD, HALIFAX HX1 1QG 
BOX OFFICE: 01422 349 422 / WEBSITE
MAR 23 - 7.30PM - THE CRAMPHORN THEATRE, CHELMSFORD 
FAIRFIELD RD, CHELMSFORD CM1 1JG 
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MAR 24 - WEST DEEPING VILLAGE HALL, LINCOLNSHIRE 
KING STREET WEST DEEPING LINCOLNSHIRE PE6 9HP. 
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MAR 25 - ELECTRIC THEATRE 
GUILDFORD 
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MAR 27 - 7.00PM - UNITE THE UNION 
JOHN SMITH HOUSE, 145/165 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW, G2 4RZ 
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MAR 28 - ARTHURSTONE COMMUNITY LIBRARY, 
ARTHURSTONE TERRACE DUNDEE DD4 6RT 
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MAR 29 - 7.00PM - CLYDEBANK TOWN HALL
MAR 30 - THE MALTINGS ART 
EASTERN LN, BERWICK-UPON-TWEED TD15 1AJ 
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APR 3 - 7.30PM - THE OLD FIRE STATION, OXFORD 
40 GEORGE STREET OXFORD OX1 2AQ 
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APR 5 - 7.30PM - LYRIC THEATRE, CARMARTHEN 
8 KING ST, CARMARTHEN SA31 1BD 
BOX OFFICE: 0845 226 3510 / WEBSITE 
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APR 6 - 7.30PM - HEN AND CHICKEN 
210 NORTH ST, BRISTOL BS3 1JF 
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APR 7 - 7.30PM - SAMAJ COMMUNITY CENTRE 
MARDY ST, CARDIFF CF11 6QT 
BOX OFFICE: 07811 167267 / WEBSITE
APR 9 - BAPTIST CHURCH HALL 
COLLEGE ROAD, HARROW HA1 1BA 
BOX OFFICE: 07906 717969 / grunwicks@geecorp.com / WEBSITE 
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APR 10 - THEATRE ROYAL, BURY ST EDMUNDS 
WESTGATE ST, BURY SAINT EDMUNDS IP33 1QR 
BOX OFFICE: 01284 755127 / WEBSITE 
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APR 11 - 7.30PM - FLASH MUSIC THEATRE 
METHUEN ROAD, EDGWARE HA8 6EZ 
BOX OFFICE: 07906 717969 / grunwicks@geecorp.com / WEBSITE 
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APR 12 - 7.30PM - THE CIVIC, BARNSLEY 
HANSON ST, BARNSLEY S70 2HZ 
BOX OFFICE: 01226 327000 enquiries@barnsleycivic.co.uk / WEBSITE
APR 13 - 7.30PM - GREENWICH THEATRE 
CROOMS HILL, LONDON SE10 8ES 
BOX OFFICE: 020 8858 7755 / WEBSITE 
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APR 14 - THE PLACE THEATRE, BEDFORD 
BRADGATE RD, BEDFORD MK40 3DE 
BOX OFFICE: 01234 354321 / WEBSITE 
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APR 19 - NORTH WEST LONDON COLLEGE (WILLESDEN CAMPUS) 
WILLESDEN CAMPUS ENTRANCE ON DENZIL ROAD (OFF DUDDEN HILL LANE) LONDON NW10 2XD 
BOX OFFICE: https://lineupnow.com/event/we-are-the-lions-mr-manager-4 / WEBSITE 
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APR 21 - 7.30PM - ROSE HILL THEATRE, WHITEHAVEN 
MORESBY WHITEHAVEN CUMBRIA CA28 6SE 
BOX OFFICE: 01946 692422 / WEBSITE 
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APR 24 - 7.30PM - STEPHEN JOSEPH THEATRE 
WESTBOROUGH SCARBOROUGH, NORTH YORKSHIRE YO11 1JW 
BOX OFFICE: 01723 370541 / WEBSITE 
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APR 25 - 7.30PM - WALLSEND MEMORIAL HALL & PEOPLE’S CENTRE, 10 FRANK ST, WALLSEND 
WALLESND, NEWCASTLE -UPON-TYNE 
BOX OFFICE: Contact: Martin president@newcastle-tuc.org.uk / WEBSITE
APR 27 - 7.30PM - BIRNAM ARTS 
BOX OFFICE: 01350 727674 / WEBSITE 
TICKETS
MAY 1 - 7.30PM - CENTRAL HALL, BELFAST 
ROSEMARY ST. BELFAST 
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MAY 4 - 7.30PM - EGO ARTS VENUE 
SILVER STREET/COOK STREET, COVENTRY, CV1 1JN
MAY 6 - 7.30PM - CHESTERFIELD TUC 
CHESTERFIELD TUC
MAY 8 - HERTFORD THEATRE 
BOX OFFICE: 01992 531500 / WEBSITE
MAY 10 - THE OLD COURT ROOM, BRIGHTON FESTIVAL
MAY 11 - THE OLD COURT ROOM, BRIGHTON FESTIVAL
MAY 12 - THE OLD COURT ROOM, BRIGHTON FESTIVAL
MAY 13 - THE OLD COURT ROOM, BRIGHTON FESTIVA
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