Plays

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Lay Up Your Ends

OVERVIEW

  • Playwright

    Martin Lynch 

  • Author Notes

    Written in collaboration with the company.

  • Setting

    Belfast, 1911.

  • Synopsis

    Discontent spreads through the workforce at a linen mill when the owners announce a programme of shorter hours and wage cuts. The mill girls walk out on strike. Belle Thompson emerges as the strike leader and increasingly turns to ITGWU organiser James Connolly for her politics and inspiration. As the strike continues, it begins to take its toll on the women's health, domestic stability, personal conviction and resolve to continue. Eventually they are forced to return to work, having won only small concessions from the mill owners.

  • Play Type

    Plays General

    Number Of Acts

    Full-Length

    • Cast size

  • Male

    1

  • Female

    5

  • Total

    6

Original Production

Original Cast  
Mary Rooney Maureen Macauley
Lizzie McCormick Brenda Winter
Belle Thompson Marie Jones (1)
Leadpipe Aidan McCann
Eithne MacNamara Carol Scanlan
Florrie Brown Eleanor Methven
Production Team  
Director Pam Brighton
Designer Una Walker
Producer Ian McElhinney
Lighting Designer Wallace McDowell
Sound Louis Edmondson
Musical Director David Jenkins
Administration Assistant Maureen Jordan (2)
Production Manager Paul Myler
Stage Manager Wallace McDowell
Assistant Stage Manager Aidan McCann
Artist Joni Doggart
Photography Joni Doggart
Administrator Janet Mackle

Unpublished Scripts

  • Contact

    Theatre and Performing Arts Archive of Northern Ireland

  • Address

    The Linen Hall Library, 17 Donegall Square North
    Belfast BT1 5GB
    Northern Ireland

Rights Information

Source Of Information

Information for this entry was taken from the original production programme and from the company's archive held at the Linen Hall Library, Belfast.