Townsend Theatre Productions’ We Are The Lions Mr Manager – 16 October 2025, Lantern Theatre
Review by Claire Taranaski.
Telling the real life story of the Great Grunwick Film Processing Factory Strike of 1976 to 1978, and the inspirational strike-leader Jayaben Desai, We Are The Lions Mr Manager is one of the most powerful and passion arising plays I have seen and now firmly in my top two two-handers of all time (the other being performed at the same venue next year).
Rukmini Sircar as Jayaben was incredible taking acting to a whole new level of channelling this real life inspirational woman so much so that if I had not known otherwise I would have thought we had been transported back in time to spend a precious two hours in Jayaben’s actual presence. Rukimni brought Jayaben’s world to life and the strike would have been resolved and the female Asian employers would have immediately won their right to unionise by scene three of act one if they had been in her presence and listened.
The other person in the two hander was Neil Gore, who is a very talented man with many jobs including writing the play, doing a superb job in getting into the mind of Jayaben and telling her story with faith and respect. As an actor Neil plays not one but six different characters in the show, with some of the quickest costume changes I have seen, all very different but believable (from Jayaben’s manager confirming why the stereotype of the sexist, racist 70s manager is based in reality; to the donkey jacket wearing reporter who just wanted to hand back to the studio; and the secretary of Brent Trades Council Jack Dromey who we all need on our side supporting and encouraging us in an industrial dispute). I must also give a special mention to the most comedic scene of the entire show with Neil as the Milk Tray man wannabe NAFF leader John Gouriet having a conversation with himself playing Grunwick boss George Ward. In any other production this hilarious break from reality would not have worked but somehow Neil made it do so superbly highlighting the ridiciouslessness of their side of the situation.
Music has always been closely linked with protest with protest songs a genre themselves and the play celebrates this with Neil in his various characters and as himself in reflection singing protest songs throughout by Leon Rosselson, Jack Warshaw, Richard Thompson and Don Perrygrove. Neil performs with moving, thoughtful vocals full of attitude with many making me think folk singer Reg Meuross including the recurringly powerful “Hold The Line” whilst others such as “The World’s Police” bringing out his inner Ian Dury. The encouragement for the audience to join in and the joining in of the Sheffield Socialist Choir coming up to the stage for a song in the second act added to the power of the protest song.
I had previously questioned how an entire protest could be brought to life in a small theatre by two performers but I had nothing to be concerned about as this was achieved in a way I have seen no other theatre show manage. Throughout we were not just audience members but felt like we Jayaben’s co-workers, not just on the Grunwick Factory Floor but on the picket line, encouraged to join in with the protest calls, and as previously mentioned, the protest song lyrics, signing Jayaben’s petition as it was handed round and shining torches as one.
Another and very powerful way to bring the whole protest to life was the useful of cleverly edited projection throughout and before the show began. Whilst taking our seats it was used to remind us both of the past and society today, setting the scene, making us think before the play even started and adding to our hope that history is not about to repeat ourselves. Throughout, alongside cleverly used props and Neil’s various costumes it transformed us to the late 70s, added to the size of the protest, provided song lyrics and also enabled any of those in the audience with hearing impairment to follow and experience the play’s magnitude.
We Are The Lions Mr Manager should be seen by everyone who cares about this country and wants to learn from history in order to avoid learning from our previous mistakes. It is powerful and thought-provoking and will stay with me for a long time.
For further information on the play’s UK wide tour visit www.townsendproductions.org.uk/shows/we-are-the-lions-mr-manger/ and to see our recent interview with Neil and Rukmini watch the YouTube video below.
