NEWS
Looking for an actress to play Jayaben Desai?
6 May 2025Townsend Theatre Productions are looking for the lead role for an excellent South Asian / Indian actress to play the lead role Jayaben Desai in our critically acclaimed theatre production 'We Are The Lions Mr Manager' by Neil Gore centred around the Grunwick Dispute 1976-8. This is a touring production, project funded by Arts Council England.
The play tells the story of Jayaben Desai, the inspirational leader of the 1976-78 Grunwick Strike. In 2016 she was amongst the top 7 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.
Creative Team:
Louise Townsend (Director/ Producer)
Neil Gore (Writer/ Producer)
Jatinder Verma (Creative Consultant)
Daniella Beattie (Lighting/Set & Projection Designer
LOOKING FOR?
Female (Playing age 30 - 43) Height: 150 — 165 cm - Looking for an exceptionally strong, dynamic South Asian/British Asian actress (Gujarati would be advantageous but not a requirement) to play the lead role Jayaben Desai the inspirational leader of The Grunwick Strike. Must be able to work collaboratively, music and dance skills are an advantage.
Equity Contract
Can you help? Looking for Assistant Producer
24 Apr 2025Assistant Producer
Townsend Theatre Productions is seeking an early career artist or producer with a background in live performance who is interested in small scale touring, social history and performance.
You will be working on our new touring Arts Council England funded show/exhibition ‘We Are The Lions Mr Manager’. ...the the story of the Great Grunwick Film Processing Factory Strike of 1976-8, and the inspirational strike-leader Jayaben Desai, one of many newly arrived Gujurati women workers from East Africa.
The role:
- To help the producer with research & coordinating participation at each venue
- To assist the producer with Marketing & PR
- To assist the producer with social media
- To assist the producer with casting
- To assist the producer with distribution of the education pack.
- To assist the producer with coordination of rehearsals, tech & performances.
- To assist with social media
Qualities:
- Passion for theatre
- Creative
- Organised
- Good administrative skills
- Knowledge of EXCEL, Word, Google docs etc
- Able to work on own initiative
Starting date: 9th June 2025 – 27 October 2025
One day per week £15.00 per hour – 8 hours a week. Hours to suit both. This is a remote working position. Holiday pay paid at the end of contract. Please send CV & covering letter (max 2 pages A 4) or video (2 minutes long) to: townsendproductions@hotmail.co.uk. Interviews 12th May 25
TOWNSEND THEATRE PRODUCTIONS – TELLING STORIES FROM THE FRONTLINE
7 Apr 2025 - 7 Apr 2025It was great being interviewed by Leslie Tate poet and author about our Townsend Theatre Productions work. It's a very comprehensive interview and you can find out who we are and how we got to running Townsend Theatre Productions. You can read it HERE
Christmas Cracker - A Mummers play for children by Neil Gore
1 Nov 2022 - 22 Jan 2023We've been busy rehearsing a new Christmas Mummers play written especially for children by Neil Gore. Pictured are the children practicing the song and dance hat starts the show.
Visit to Belfast Shipyard
2 Mar 2020We dodged the storms to travel to Belfast to meet former workers and trade union officials from Harland and Wolff in Belfast. It was a great pleasure to meet stagers, welders, platers, red leaders, draughtsmen, and campaigners with extraordinary stories of hard dangerous work and tales of camaraderie and community support through good times and bad. Some lovely pictures across the Irish Sea too!
Thanks to John Mcquaide for bringing in some photos of the ‘stagers’ squad at Harland and Wolff in the early seventies on top of a crane (what? No harness?!) and later when health and safety became more of a concern, with hard-hats and overalls.
Belfast 'Save Our Ship Yard' campaign
2 Mar 2020Whilst at Harland and Wolff in Belfast, we met ex-Shipyard workers and workers involved in the recent ‘Save Our Ship Yard’ campaign. It was a pleasure to meet Joe Passmore from Unite, part of the campaign group of workers that took control of the yard last year to save it from complete closure, and talk about the future of the yard and how the events on the Upper Clyde and the Work-in fifty years ago were an inspiration for their own campaign.
Visit to Sunderland Maritime Heritage
28 Feb 2020As part of our Arts Council England Research & Development Project, we recently visited Sunderland Maritime Heritage to meet and interview former shipyard workers on the Wear, and to view the brilliant collection of historical shipbuilding artefacts on display. Definitely worth a visit!
Tour of BAE Systems Shipyards in Govan
27 Feb 2020Pics show Louise and Neil in PPE (personal protective equipment) for our tour of BAE Systems Shipyard in Govan, formerly the site of Fairfields Shipyard - the strict health and safety considerations now in place are a far, far cry from life in the shipyards, say, fifty years ago.
It was amazing to see the processes involved in creating a modern ship today; in this case a Type 45 frigate HMS Glasgow, a world away from squads of men riveting or welding by hand in the great outdoors, whatever the weather! Thanks to the conveners and safety reps for making us so welcome. The shipyard was saved from closure and remained open after the U.C.S. Work-in, and has stayed working ever since!
upcoming visit to sunderland
13 Feb 2020As part of our research and development project that is focussed on UK shipbuilding, we’re looking forward to meeting retired former shipbuilders in Sunderland this coming week at the Maritime Heritage. Here’s some excellent pictures of Wearside shipbuilding dating from the mid-sixties and early seventies.
Research for our new show
10 Feb 2020We've been busy carrying out research for our upcoming show about the famous Upper Clyde Shipbuilders' (UCS) 'Work-In'. There’s plenty to go through to do justice to what was an inspiring campaign in the fight for the right to work.
The black-and-white photos are from the UCS shipyards at the time, together with a shot of the shop stewards’ meeting in 1971 showing Jimmy Reid (centre) and Jimmy Airlie (right).
Keep an eye on this page for further updates. You can also follow our progress on our Facebook page and on Twitter.
Our ‘Yes! Yes! UCS!’ research takes us to Fairfield Heritage, Govan
6 Feb 2020This week we visited the site of the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders’ (UCS) yard as part of our research into the inspiring story behind the UCS workers' 'Work In' of 1971/2. Our visit took in Fairfield Heritage's "The Story of Glasgow’s Greatest Shipyard" including a look around the former boardroom and offices as well as the main entrance.
Pictured is Louise standing in the entrance gates of the famous shipyard, and also a photograph of how it looked in 1970. It's well worth a visit to the brilliantly-restored building and excellent exhibition.
BAE Systems still operate the shipyard to this day, a yard that would now be closed if it wasn’t for the now famous UCS 'Work-In'. It is this story which forms the basis for our exciting new show which will feature rock and folk music of the time. Keep an eye on this page for further details!
Neil Gore performed 'The ragged Trousered Philanthropists at The House of Commons
1 Nov 2018Amazing day, John McDonnell Shadow Chancellor attended the show and said it was "A phenomenal performance'
Nominated For The Eastern Eye Award For Theatre. Best Actress
11 May 2018 - 11 May 2018We are delighted to announce Medhavi Patel has been nominated for Best Theatre Actress at this year’s Eastern Eye Arts, Culture & Theatre Awards 2018 (ACTA).
Medhavi has been selected as a finalist after her stand-out performance as Grunwick Strike leader Jayaben Desai in the touring production of We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!.
Written by Neil Gore, We Are The Lions, Mr Manager! relives the true story of the Grunwick dispute, a movement which challenged the way unions thought about new immigrant communities coming to the UK in the 1970s.
Since the play made its debut in October 2017 Medhavi has put on stirring performances all over the country, and the company is delighted she has been recognised for her hard work.
We Are The Lions, Mr Manager! finished its seven-month UK tour at the Brighton Fringe Festival this weekend, and the award nomination is a fitting end to a successful tour.
Now, in its 3rd year, the ACTAs is the leading event recognising the valuable contribution artists of South Asian heritage make to the British arts scene.
The awards will be announced in a ceremony in London on 22nd June.
Medhavi said: “I am delighted and proud to have been nominated as Best Theatre Actress in this year's Eastern Eye Arts, Culture and Theatre Awards. Playing the role of Jayaben Desai in We Are The Lions, Mr Manager, has been tremendous, and I am so pleased the play has received such recognition on its tour across the UK.
“As an actress from a BAME background, traditionally the roles that are available to us can be limiting. Too often Indian women can be typecast as the subservient housewives, mothers and suppressed daughters, so to play an iconic and strong leader from a Gujarati background has been a true blessing.
“It is hard not to be touched by Jayaben's story. Like her, my mother worked in factories when my parents first arrived in the UK in the 1970’s, so this story and the many of the other stories of the time about the struggles faced by South Asian women in the workplace resonates with me, my family as well as my community on a many levels.
“It has been an honour to relive the story of the Grunwick Strike on stage. Jayaben's story will continue to inspire me long after the play has stopped touring and I hope this play along with the many other lost stories about strong women leaders can be relived, enjoyed and portrayed to inspire.”
Director Louise Townsend said: “We are delighted Medhavi has been recognised for her exceptional performance as Jayaben Desai in our play We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!, which made its debut in October 2017 and has since toured across the UK.
“The role of Jayaben Desai is no mean feat, but Medhavi has delighted audiences across the country with her phenomenal talent, and she has done Neil Gore’s fantastic script justice. The pair have worked tremendously together to bring the story of the Grunwick Strike to life, and Medhavi has truly captured the spirit of Jayaben.
“We wish Medhavi and the rest of the nominees the best of luck at the ceremony.”
“Amit Roy, chairman of the ACTAs judging panel and Eastern Eye editor-at-large said: “This is our third year and the wealth of nominees for the ACTAs indicate more and more young British Asians are going into the arts. An increasing number, especially in a category such as literature, are also becoming part of the mainstream. This is a heartening trend which we welcome. But there is still much more to be done. We began the ACTAs because we felt British Asian artists, try as they might, were not getting the recognition they deserved. Art, which enhances life, is for all.”
'We Are The Lions Mr Manager' was on BBC Radio 4's The Listening Project
5 May 2018 - 5 May 2018We were delighted to be asked to be part of the panel on BBC Radio 4's #THeListeningProject presented by Fi Glover. It was filmed at Tara_Arts for its's 'I'll say It Again Festival' celebrating the centenary of Women's Suffrage which we are also part of. You can hear Medhavi Patel speaking about the show and it's relevance to today. A great night was had by all. Thank you.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b1hy9q
FINAL WK. @Tara_Arts @hertfordtheatre @WatermansArts @brightonfringe #OldCourtroom 9.00pm
'Don't Miss' in The Guardian Guide
17 Feb 2018 - 17 Feb 2018Amazing 'We Are The Lions Mr Manager' by Neil Gore was a 'Don't miss' in The Guardian Guide on Saturday
Harrogate Theatre -Younger Reviewers
9 Feb 2018And here’s a review of ‘We Are The Lions’ by Lauren McGaun, The Grammar School at Leeds
A roaring success at Harrogate Theatre
Based on a true story, We Are The Lions is an emotional account of an Indian woman’s struggle for justice in the workplace. Set in the intimate and cosy location of the studio theatre, this production shines a spotlight on the historic abysmal treatment of workers.
Neil Gore, who also wrote the script, plays an incompetent Mr Alden. From his animated opening performance of ‘In the Summertime’ by Mungo Jerry under suitably purple lighting, he’s a resounding success – or not. Gore’s skill to take on so many roles whilst also over seeing the whole production is outstanding and the audience are particularly amused when he states, “I’ll just change the lights then I’ll get on with the second half of the show”. Of his various stints, one of my favourites is his role as Mr John who is painfully slow to realise the hardships of working for
George Ward, but this role is of course outdone by his time as a hilarious ‘Which?’ advertiser for Kodak.
Audience participation is central to the performance. From the signing of petitions to the use of flashlights in the powerful guitar showpiece under a multicoloured lit set (John Kirkpatrick and Daniella Beattie), the spectators feel that they’re one of the workers on the picket line with Jayaben Desai (Medhavi Patel). The use of real footage further adds to the sense of collective unity in the audience and makes the show even more realistic.
The show doesn’t end happily ever after. The poignant finish, I believe, is symbolic of how the struggle for workers’ rights and more specifically women’s rights isn’t over. This topical reference is certainly prevalent in modern day issues over the gender pay gap. Despite the continuing conflicts, “the workers united will never be defeated”.
‘We Are The Lions, Mr Manager’ ran at Harrogate Theatre from February 5th to February 10th. The show is touring across other Yorkshire locations, visit townsendproductions.org for more info.
We Are The Lions Mr Manager made the Front Page of The Morning Star with it's first review!!
18 Oct 2017We Are The Lions Mr Manger made front page news with our first review in The Morning Star click on this link to read review http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-f0a5-Rising-like-lions-to-change-labour-history#.WeXRfxNSzL8
Announcement -Medhavi Patel will be taking on the role of Jayaben Desai in the world premiere of 'We
5 Sep 2017Townsend Theatre Productions are pleased to announce Medhavi Patel will be taking on the role of Jayaben Desai in the world premiere of We Are The Lions, Mr Manager.
The role of Jayaben Desai holds particular significance to Patel after she learned she is a distant relative of the iconic leader.
Medhavi Patel's previous stage work has seen her star in Tales of Birbal, Trident Moon and Fragile Land, and she has starred in TV shows including Doctors and Holby City.
Interview with Medhvai Patel by Saskia Murphy (Journalist)
How does it feel, as an actor from a Gujarati background, to be playing Jayaben Desai?
It is incredibly exciting. This is the first time I'm playing a Gujarati woman, so it is a huge moment for me and a very proud moment too. My parents moved to the UK in 1979 and my mum worked in a couple of factories when they first came here, so Jayaben's story is one that resonates with me on a personal level. I remember there wasn't much security in my mum's factory jobs. She once worked in laundrette factory and I remember her coming home and vomiting and having headaches because of the fumes and the chemicals. My mum is very proud to see me bringing this story to life.
You are a distant relative of Jayaben's, can you tell us more about that?
I didn't know Jayaben directly but my family knew her, and a member of our family married Jayaben's son. But despite the family connection I didn't actually know about the Grunwick Strike when I was growing up. I couldn't believe that nobody had told me about this powerful woman who is a part of our distant family circle.
Why do you think you were never told about Jayaben?
One thing that I have noticed, as much as I love my culture and my tradition, is that Indian families don't always pass down these amazing stories. We've have all the stories about Gandhi and about powerful men, but what about the women who played a part in modern culture? We don't explore and celebrate them enough. I guess it must have been sensitive, even for Jayaben. As strong as a character that she was, often at that time women weren't loud, they would just get on with it. We were known to just do our job and that's it. The men were the breadwinners and they were the ones that fought for the family, so to have this woman who started this strike, it must have shaken everyone. It's something to be proud of but also it was probably quite difficult for her to exist within her community at the time, because no doubt there were probably people who were telling her that it wasn't a good idea, but Jayaben was ahead of her time and was determined to achieve justice. I don't know why these stories aren't passed down but I feel that they should be, so I am honoured to be retelling Jayaben's story on stage.
How does it feel, as an actor from a Gujarati background, to be playing Jayaben Desai?
It is incredibly exciting. This is the first time I'm playing a Gujarati woman, so it is a huge moment for me and a very proud moment too. My parents moved to the UK in 1979 and my mum worked in a couple of factories when they first came here, so Jayaben's story is one that resonates with me on a personal level. I remember there wasn't much security in my mum's factory jobs. She once worked in laundrette factory and I remember her coming home and vomiting and having headaches because of the fumes and the chemicals. My mum is very proud to see me bringing this story to life.
I didn't know Jayaben directly but my family knew her, and a member of our family married Jayaben's son. But despite the family connection I didn't actually know about the Grunwick Strike when I was growing up. I couldn't believe that nobody had told me about this powerful woman who is a part of our distant family circle.
One thing that I have noticed, as much as I love my culture and my tradition, is that Indian families don't always pass down these amazing stories. We've have all the stories about Gandhi and about powerful men, but what about the women who played a part in modern culture? We don't explore and celebrate them enough. I guess it must have been sensitive, even for Jayaben. As strong as a character that she was, often at that time women weren't loud, they would just get on with it. We were known to just do our job and that's it. The men were the breadwinners and they were the ones that fought for the family, so to have this woman who started this strike, it must have shaken everyone. It's something to be proud of but also it was probably quite difficult for her to exist within her community at the time, because no doubt there were probably people who were telling her that it wasn't a good idea, but Jayaben was ahead of her time and was determined to achieve justice. I don't know why these stories aren't passed down but I feel that they should be, so I am honoured to be retelling Jayaben's story on stage.
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May Day
1 May 2017May Day gathering and March at the Marx Memorial Library at Clerkenwell Green London.
Neil Gore singing songs to hundreds gathered before marching to Trafalgar Square
on Monday 1 May 2017.
