A shipbuilder musical is coming to Irvine next month
The Irvine performance will be on Tuesday, March 22.
To mark the historic fight to keep Glasgow's shipbuilders open 50 years ago a working man's musical is coming to Irvine.
Yes! Yes! UCS! is the newest play touring the UK and will grace the stage of the Celtic Club in Bridgegate Irvine next month.
Award winning playwright Neil Gore penned the musical which celebrates the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders 'work in' of 1971- 1972.
During this time, the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders were facing collapse. Instead, workers occupied the yards and were supported by 80,000 in a march to Glasgow Green.
Performance organiser, Arthur West from Irvine and North Ayrshire Trades Union, said: " Back in 1971 and 1972 the massive Glasgow and Clydebank shipyards were facing closure.
"However a group of dynamic young union stewards including Jimmy Reid and Jimmy Airlie responded by leading a working occupation of the yards.
"This action was not a strike - but a 'work in'.
"After more than a year of intense struggle the government caved in and the four shipyards were saved.
"The musical play will cover the whole story of the work in such as 80, 000 people marching to Glasgow Green in support of the work in .
"It will also cover the series of high profile benefit concerts starring the likes of Donavan, The Dubliners, The Laggan and even the legendary Billy Connolly."
In a famous speech, Reid wanted to ensure the workers projected the best image of the yard workers he possibly could, and he insisted on tight discipline. He addressed the workers at the yards, where he instructed them that there should be 'no hooliganism, no vandalism and no bevvying'- this is said to have been turned into a song for the play.
Mr West added: "Irvine and North Ayrshire Trades Union Council hope to get a good turnout for the performance of a play covering a very important part of Scottish social and political history."
The one-night only performance will be on Tuesday, March 22, at 7.30pm.
Tickets are priced at £5 and can be booked by phoning or texting Arthur West on 0782617759 or emailing arthurwest7@hotmail.co.uk
