The cast has been announced for the UK tour of the acclaimed We Are the Lions, Mr Manager! which marks the 50th anniversary of the Grunwick Strike (1976–1978), from Townsend Theatre Productions.

Directed by Louise Townsend and written, performed and with musical direction by Neil Gore (Farewell Leicester Square, Yes Yes UCS; UK Tours), the play features a range of musical styles from the era. Gore is joined by Rukmini Sircar (Bombay Superstars, West End; Mr Bob’s Midnight Market, Gazebo Theatre), who stars as Jayaben Desai and plays multiple roles. This timely and urgent retelling of one of the most significant mobilisations in labour movement history brings the inspirational fight for freedom, equality and human dignity to the stage.

Based on the experiences of strike-leader Jayaben Desai and the Grunwick Strike Committee, the play highlights the struggle against the exploitation of immigrant workers, challenging the myth that Asian workers and Asian women were passive and easy prey for exploitation. What began as a local dispute grew into a national movement for justice.

More than a strike over wages, the dispute was a battle for dignity at work and a fight for rights and respect in the workplace. Employed by the Grunwick Photographic Film Processing Factory in north-west London, under the assumption they would be easy to exploit, these women found their voice and demanded to be heard.

With its blend of drama, humour and live music, including the involvement of local choirs and South Asian dance groups, the show is an engaging celebration of resistance and solidarity. Capturing the dramatic scenes shown on television at the time, such as snatch squads, police lines and waves of trade unionists and pickets, the play resonates strongly with recent global scenes of unrest and protest.

We Are the Lions, Mr Manager! opens at Theatre Severn on Saturday 8 November and runs until Sunday 9 November. Book your tickets at theatresevern.co.uk