A classic Belfast play has been published for the first time, a quarter of a century after it was first performed in the city. Lay Up Your Ends, by renowned playwright Martin Lynch, tells the story of five women who worked in the mills during the 1911 strike.
The play tells of how the characters stood up for themselves and fought against the appalling conditions which existed at that time.
It was commissioned by Charabanc Theatre – a group of five local actresses who were so desperate for work that the
y approached Mr Lynch and devised the work in conjunction with him.
The curtain was raised on Lay Up Your Ends with its debut at the Civic Arts Theatre in Botanic Avenue in 1983.
It became an instant hit with audiences across Ireland, and went on to numerous tours further afield – now it is recognised as one of the best plays to come out of Northern Ireland in the 1980s.
For many of those involved – including Marie Jones, Maureen Macauley and Carol Moore – it was the starting point for a successful career in the theatre.
Speaking about the publication of the work, playwright Martin Lynch said: “I am delighted the play is being published after all these years – thanks to Lagan Press for doing the needful.
“It’s also timely, in that if all the pieces fall together, I hope to be in a position to mount a new production of the play next summer at The Grand Opera House and hopefully have some of the original, pioneering Charabanc cast members there to cheer us on.”
Actor and founder member of Charabanc, Brenda Winter said: “The play is as side-splittingly funny, poignant and relevant as it was 25 years ago.
“Not only will it make its audience laugh and cry, it will remind them that ill-treatment of the weak by the strong is still all around us.”
As well as the script, the book includes a raft of additional material and contemporary reviews of the production, one of which was written for the News Letter by then Arts Correspondent Charlie Fitzgerald.
In a positive write-up, he praised the authenticity of Lay Up Your Ends, and called the performances of the female leads “stunning”.
n The edition published by Lagan Press is priced at £9.99 and is available online from www.lagan-books.org.uk and from all good book shops.
The full article contains 410 words and appears in News Letter newspaper.
