Written by Neil Gore Directed by Louise Townsend
Starring Medhavi Patel and Neil Gore
We Are The Lions, Mr. Manager! is the remarkable story of Jayaben Desai, the inspirational leader of the 1976-78 Grunwick Film Processing Factory Strike and was recently included in BBC Radio 4’s Women’s Hour Power List as one of the women who’ve had the biggest impact on women’s lives over the past seventy years.
She brought the issue of workplace exploitation and racism to the fore and not only stood up for workers’ rights and against oppression with selfless dedication but, with her steadfast resolve, she turned the Grunwick dispute into a national movement for human rights and dignity, inspiring future generations.
“What you are running here is not a factory, it is a zoo. But in a zoo there are many types of animals. Some are monkeys who dance on your finger-tips, others are lions who can bite your head off. WE ARE THE LIONS, MR MANAGER!”
Neil Gore, the writer of this important new play, says “we aim to focus on the lives and contributions of inspirational and vital figures from our social history, often forgotten, who campaigned vigorously to improve the quality of life for everyone. Jayaben Desai is one such figure.”