It’s 1977 and for the first time in Fire Brigade history, a national strike threatens to bring the country to a stand still.
In a quiet corner of Cheshire, the lads of Blue Watch, Macclesfield are waiting with bated breath to see what this means for them. Will their hopes blaze to union glory or smoulder to ashes and what will this mean for the Brigade, their loved ones and the lads themselves?
Through a fictionalised account of the ‘Bysmal Boys of Macclesfield Blue Watch, you will be transported back to the true life backdrop of the strike action as autumn gives way to the Winter of Discontent. Genders’ new play explores this rarely examined period of history and the impact that is still felt today.
Conflictive, comic yet utterly compassionate, the boys of Blue Watch navigate their individual stories and that of their brotherhood. It may just be 30% but is that all they really stand to lose?
In 1995, at a Macclesfield secondary school, two young people bonded over a passion for theatre and musicals. Their friendship has lasted out over almost three decades, and in 2016 – having found lives across the country and globe – they found themselves living back in their home town at the same time.
Although Laura and Holden had found a whole world of experience prior to their reunion, they were keen on reigniting the spark of theatrical passion they had shared in their teen years. With a wealth of credits to each of their names, their initial disappointment at the lack of ready opportunities for Northern based actors, writers and directors would soon turn to heightened enthusiasm as they set about forging their own path towards creativity.
Northern Rep Theatre was conceived. A new company keenly focused on growing Northern talent, and showcasing our stories.
The Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2021 will see the world premiere of ‘Bysmal Boys, a brand new play written by Laura Genders and directed by Holden Oak – the two founders of Northern Rep. Exploring the lives of Blue Watch, Macclesfield, the writing draws on Laura’s native background in the Silk Town and the stories she heard growing up in the Fire Brigade circles. Set against the backdrop of the strike action taken by the National Fire Brigade in 1977, this play discovers universal voices of all who work in the public sector and the desperation, elation and camaraderie found in their professional and personal lives.