A new community play is being produced in Bridport at the Lyric Theatre. Originally called “A Common Woman” it’s based on the protests at Greenham Common and what would make “an ordinary woman” join the protest? This play was a huge success in London both in 1984 when first produced at the King’s Head Theatre in Islington, and again later when brought back in 2022 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the “Embrace the Base” protest. It is now being reimagined in Bridport to involve many of the community, including some who sang for recordings of Greenham songs for the recent London production.
For those that don’t know about the Greenham Common Protests see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenham_Common_Women%27s_Peace_Camp
In this reimagined production, 30 local singers assert that “You Can’t Kill the Spirit” as they bring to life the many songs that echoed around the camps nine gates and nine mile long fence. New scenes have been added; of the women in Greenham, showing their life in benders (a basic shelter), with no water and cooking over open fires, but determined to stay until the cruise missiles were removed from the common land.
The original play followed a family managing the conflict that engagement with the protest brings, and this is the centre of the production. The domestic tension, caused by the mother’s dilemma, is powerfully and sensitively depicted by playwright Mary Rensten, and those scenes are interwoven with the episodes at the gates in Greenham. Mum, our “Common woman” is torn between her daughter’s passionate instance to join her in Greenham, and her reluctance to go against her husband and step outside the comfort and reassurance of her life at home. The men in the family are against her going, “Leave it to the government” insists Dad and “They are all lesbians” says the son.
Local Actors
The cast includes local actors: Barbara Darnley playing the mother, worked professionally as actress for many years and Andy Hern who has performed with Encore and the Wye Theatre Company in Hereford. The young brother and sister are played by Harry Lockett and Ellie Taylor, both of whom have starred in Bridport Musical Theatre’s shows. Scenes at Greenham include Romla Walker, ex professional actress of TV and stage, Mel Still who is playing a woman who breaks into Greenham and local performer Rosie Russell is playing Ruth, the levelheaded protester, and talented actress and singer Tamlin Morgan has joined the company. The choir is made up of singers from Bridport Voices and Dorset Reds and will be led by Jane Silver Corren, a popular local community singing facilitator.
Green Protests
This play also involves young people from Bridport, who had never heard of Greenham Common protests, and have attended workshops and developed improvisations about green protests which will be incorporated into the production.
The play is in partnership with Bridport Arts Centre and Bridport Youth and Community Centre and has been supported throughout by Niki McCretton and the Lyric Theatre. Directed by Margie Barbour the play will be performed at the Lyric Theatre, Bridport on Saturday 6th April at 7.30 and on Sunday 7th April at 2.30 and 7.30, tickets are £12 and £6 concessions for Job seekers and Universal credit. Tickets are on sale at Bridport’s Tourist Information Centre, 01308 424901 www.bridportandwestbay.co.uk/tickets
Bridport’s Memories of Greenham Common
A letter in the Bridport News has brought a host of interesting stories and photos about how Bridport women were affected and took part in the protests at Greenham Common. These stories will be included in the programme for the upcoming production of A Common Woman Reimagined, which focuses on what would have made an ordinary women go to Greenham.
The letters tell of how some mothers were active supporters of CND and led protests here in Bridport as well as going to Greenham itself.
Annette Atkinson sent a photo of her mother Jill Gallop leading a protest on Bucky Doo and explained
”My mother was a mother of 4 and a teacher at Colfox at the time, she definitely went to Greenham Common several times, between 1981 – 83. On one occasion she apparently wore a skeleton costume and was told what to do if arrested (fortunately for us she wasn’t!). She also regularly ran a CND stall on Bucky Doo. “
Rebecca Hilton, who is taking part in the production as one of the Greenham singers told how
“When Greenham did the Embrace the Base day of action my CND friends and I got a coach from Weymouth up to Greenham, I remember feeling like I was part of something really big and what we were doing made a difference. I felt like I had found my tribe and this was what I was meant to be doing in my life, rebelling and fighting for change. I remember the feeling that together women could be strong and face any oppression or adversity.”
Many other women who have made Bridport their home wrote, including +Deborah Legge, and she told how
“I remember going to Greenham Common with my friend and her mum to take supplies to the amazing women there and forming a human chain around the fence. I came from a very boring provincial place and seeing their strength and courage helped to shape my already growing interest in the peace and environmental movements! I have met many wonderful and inspirational people taking part in walks, marches and other actions to ensure a peaceful, fair and green world.”
Anna Sullock got in touch and remembered
“A few of us students borrowed a windowless transit and arrived at a muddy venue. There was a powerful sense of purpose. All I felt I could offer, apart from being another marching presence, was a plait of my hair that I cut and tied to the fence. I admired those who were living there, the hard core group..It was a momentous time.”
Tickets and Info
The play is in partnership with Bridport Arts Centre and Bridport Youth and Community Centre and has been supported throughout by Niki McCretton and the Lyric Theatre. Directed by Margie Barbour the play will be performed at the Lyric Theatre, Bridport on Saturday 6th April at 7.30 and on Sunday 7th April at 2.30 and 7.30, tickets are £12 and £6 concessions for Job seekers and Universal credit. Tickets are on sale at Bridport’s Tourist Information Centre, 01308 424901 www.bridportandwestbay.co.uk/tickets
