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We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!

Neil Gore

Genre: Drama

Cast size: 8

Duration: 75 mins approx

Neil Gore | Drama | Mid-length | 7m, 1f

Short synopsis

‘We Are The Lions, Mr. Manager!’ is the remarkable story of Jayaben Desai the inspirational leader of the 1976-78 Grunwick Strike. 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.

A fast-paced piece that's part detective story, part relationship drama.

‘We Are The Lions, Mr. Manager!’ is the remarkable story of Jayaben Desai, the inspirational leader of the 1976-78 Grunwick Film Processing Factory Strike. She was recently amongst the 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.

(7m, 1f; minimum 1m, 1f)

  • Jayaben Desai - could double with Mr George Ward (f)
  • Mr George Ward - could double with Jayaben Desai
  • Jack Dromey - could double with all parts below (m)
  • Mr Malcolm Alden - could double with Jack Dromey
  • Singer - could double with Jack Dromey
  • John Gourier - could double with Jack Dromey
  • Police Officer - could double with Jack Dromey
  • TV Reporter - could double with Jack Dromey

**** "The story of Jayaben Desai, heroine of the notorious Grunwick strike in the 70s makes you laugh, feel and think...A powerful story, powerfully told." Clare Brenan, The Guardian

***** "Magnificent Play" Peter Frost, Morning Star (Front Page)

***** "This production is an absolute winner". Chris Omaweng. @LondonTheatre1

***** "We are the Lions Mr Manager’ is a small but perfectly formed play which tells the story of the Grunwick strike". Harmit Athwal Institute of Race Relations

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We Are The Lions, Mr Manager!

Free
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