The Stirrings in Sheffield on Saturday Night

Ever since the original professional production at the Playhouse in 1966 it has been a pleasure to see revivals of this play with music. Set in Sheffield in the 1840's - 60's it tells the story of the Sheffield Outrages, concerned with the violent reactions of working men to the new machinery of the Industrial Revolution. However similar events were happening all over the country as men, already on meagre wages, were laid off. In Sheffield the leader of the Saw Grinders Union, William Broadhead, led the fight on behalf of the men. 'Keeping under the radar' in fact he arranged explosions, arson and personal injury. Due largely to the intervention of William Leng, editor of the Sheffield Daily Telegraph, a Government Inquiry in 1866 found Broadhead guilty but the ensuing clamp down on the embryo Unions was changed in 1871 with Trade Union  reform legislation.

Charles Ibberson (William Broadhead), Bill Darwin (William Leng) together with Gary Jarvis (Crookes) and Kevin Burridge (Hallam) ably led this ensemble production with John Atkinson (Old Man) providing much of the comedy important in this dark tale. The whole company sang the toe tapping songs melodiously and enthusiastically, suitably accompanied by the small musical ensemble, which also provided cover for the scene changes.

The play was backed by a beautifully constructed copy of the Wicker Arches, with well chosen images of C19th Sheffield, projected within one arch, for each relevant scene. Spotlighting was well used to assist the flow of changing scenes. Costumes were of the period if, in most cases, rather clean! Perhaps the result of hiring restrictions.

Congratulations on a successful production involving much hard work. Happily the Sheffield audiences are backing the Players and are well rewarded for their attendance.

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