Stand and Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-In
Traverse Theatre, 20/5/2026
Stand and Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-In
National Theatre of Scotland, Tron Theatre Company
As part of a Scotland wide tour, the National Theatre of Scotland and Tron Theatre Company bring the world premiere of a major new play based on an idea conceived by journalist and broadcaster Paul English and acclaimed writer Frances Poet.
The play dramatizes a significant piece of Scottish working class history. Over a seven month period in 1981, the majority of the mostly female workforce of an American owned company in Greenock occupied their workplace in protest at the factory closure after 10 successful years in business. As Dr Andy Clark of the University of Stirling wrote, “It’s a tale as old as capitalism itself.”
The period is evoked in great musical style with impressive renditions of contemporary hits, such as the foot tapping numbers ‘Girls on Film’ by Duran Duran; ‘Kids in America’ by Kim Wilde; ‘Stand and Deliver’ by Adam and the Ants and the more poignant ‘Ghost Town’ by the Specials and ‘Working Class Hero’ by John Lennon, all played by the versatile ensemble cast that comprises Aron Dochard, Madeline Grieve, Hannah Jarrett-Scott, Chiara Sparkes and includes performing Musical Director Shonagh Murray. While the story is laced with music and humour, it is first and foremost political.
A central figure in the play is Helen Monaghan, played with utter authenticity by Jo Freer as the woman who found herself in the eye of this particular storm. Thanks to her tenacity, she and those involved found voices and talent they never knew they had.
The show tours to smallish Scottish venues, so all credit to set designer Jessica Worrell for creating the down at heel atmosphere of a factory canteen or working man’s club in a small space. Likewise, Tron Theatre Artistic Director Jemima Levick brings her talent to skilfully direct the cast within the limited space.
The production, developed through conversations with key women involved at the time, allows Frances Poet to catch the authentic West of Scotland Scots dialect that is excellently realised by the cast, some of whom switch easily to others while in different roles. The names of those inspirational 140 who won against the odds are given their rightful place towards the end.
This vibrant and energetic piece of theatre that has been well researched with facts woven (or should that be knitted? All credit to the knitters involved!) through the script goes a long way to ensuring that this important and highly significant piece of Scottish working class history does not disappear from the national consciousness.
Helen’s line towards the end of the play saying “We were never gonnae win. We were just tryin no tae lose…” is as grounded a statement as you could wish for.
Touring Scotland until the 10th June 2026 to the following venues:
Aberdeen Arts Centre; Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy; Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; The Byre Theatre, St Andrews; Eastgate Theatre, Peebles; Mull Theatre; OneTouch Theatre, Eden Court, Inverness; Cumbernauld Theatre and (most fittingly) Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock.