Writer: Frances Poet
Director: Jemima Levick
This play, by the National Theatre of Scotland and the Tron Theatre Company, follows the true story of the Lee Jeans factory in Greenock. When “the Americans” try and make everyone redundant and move operations to Ireland to avoid paying taxes, the workers stage a sit-in. This mostly female staff of 140 people cannot afford to lose their jobs, especially as similar cuts are affecting many companies in the area so there is a high rate of unemployment.
A lady called Helen Monaghan (Jo Greer) is the union representative and takes leadership in their campaign against the redundancies. Although she never expected to be in such a position of responsibility to her co-workers, and to her family, as she struggles to keep their jobs, she steps up to the fight amazingly. This pressure is added to as her son Finlay (Aron Dochard) is one of the factory staff so she does not want to let him down as he tries to support himself through college. Maggie Wallace (Chiara Sparkes) also finds herself through this process and develops from a young girl who does not like her job to a passionate woman not afraid to ask for what she wants. It really is one of the feminist success stories of Scottish history.
This production was very well acted by a very small cast. Considering they are representing 250, it is cleverly done with just six actors covering all the different characters needed for the story. They are quite open about the fact that it is a representation, with various jokes about who they are now, or a wry smile when a female plays Helen’s husband (Hannah Jarrett-Scott). However their playing different parts pulls the audience in to feel part of the action.
The name of the play is an indication towards the fabulous soundtrack of 80s music that accompanies the story. The cast are also the band and sing various appropriate songs throughout the performance. It is a fun distraction from the somewhat depressing content and again the cast do an amazing job of switching between different instruments and singing.
Tour runs until 10 June 2026 | Image: Mihaela Bodlovic
