BYMT (British Youth Music Theatre) presents WHEN WE STRIKE, a punk rock rendition of the 1888 matchstick girls’ strike in London By Caitlyn Burt (Librettist & Lyricist) and Amir Shoenfeld (Composer & Lyricist)
Directed by Georgie Rankcom
Choreography by Jane McMurtrie
At Southwark Playhouse Elephant on Friday 30 + Saturday 31 August (14:30/19:30)

The finale of BYMT’s 20th anniversary season of new music theatre shows. WHEN WE STRIKE features a cast of 36 young BYMT female and non-binary performers and musicians from across the UK.

It’s 1888 and a group of working-class girls in East-London are barely making ends meet working for Bryant and May’s matchstick factory. Though their lives are tough, these girls are tougher. But when they learn the abhorrent working conditions in their factory are responsible for the mysterious disease that’s been killing them, the Match Girls must band together to stand up to the capitalist elite who see them as disposable – and change the world. Inspired by historical events, the show celebrates the courage of young people and the rage of a new generation fighting for a more equitable world. Using the energy and fire of punk-rock, this new British musical will spark debate and question who’s responsible for igniting change.

Venue: Southwark Playhouse Elephant, 1 Dante Place, London, SE11 4RX
Dates + times: 30 + 31 August at 2.30 PM & 7.30 PM
Tickets: £22 Standard, £18 Concessions & Restricted View, £16 for Under 16s
Tickets are available from: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/when-we-strike
Age guidance: 7+ Running time: 80 mins (no interval)