Townsend Productions and The Assembly Rooms present the world premiere of WE WILL BE FREE a new play by Neil Gore. Directed by Louise Townsend & Richard Stone Designer: Fine Time Fontayne Musical Director: John Kirkpatrick Cast: Neil Gore and Elizabeth Eves
DATES 4– 25 August 2013 at 12.30pm (no performance 12 Aug)
RUNNING TIME: 1hr 10mins
VENUE: The Ballroom, Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street, 54 George Street, Edinburgh
Following their sold-out national tour and critically acclaimed run of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Towns End Productions are set to return to the festival from 2-25 August at The Ballroom in the Assembly Rooms to premiere their latest, We Will Be Free a new drama set around the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs.
Set in 1834 We Will Be Free follows the extraordinary true story of George and Betsy Loveless. He was a Methodist preacher and the leader of the six Dorsetshire farm labourers who were tried, convicted and condemned to harsh transportation by an oppressive Government for having the temerity to swear a secret oath and form a union to fight against a succession of wage cuts inflicted by the local landowners.
This vitally important story is told using the entertaining theatrical style developed through our production of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists; through Andy Vine’s powerful political cartoons and animation; through puppetry and the exquisite musical arrangements by revered folk singer and squeezebox player John Kirkpatrick, of the songs and rallying hymns of the Dorset labouring classes that resound down the years.
We Will Be Free’s excellent cast features Neil Gore (Song of Singapore, West End & Chichester Festival Theatre, Little Britain Live & The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists) and Elizabeth Eves (Twelfth Night, Nuffield Theatre, Southampton). The production is directed by Louise Townsend and Richard Stone, with the creative team including designs by Fine Time Fontayne and lighting by Brian O’Carroll.
The production will also feature songs from the highly acclaimed folk singer and squeezebox player, John Kirkpatrick. During his distinguished career John has worked with artists like Roy Bailey, John Tams, Richard Thompson, Martin Carthy and Steeleye Span. He is also a regular session musician and has played on numerous film sound tracks most recently the Oscar nominated Pirates – Adventures with Scientists, as well as in The Royal National Theatre Production of ‘Lark Rise To Candleford‘.
The play has had the backing of the unions ACCORD, NASUWT, UNITE, SWTUC, SW Unison
Tickets for ‘We Will Be Free are priced at £15 (£14 previews, Concs available) and can be purchased at the Box Office on 0844 693 3008 or online at www.arfringe.com
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