Acclaimed 1926 General Strike play to make Derry debut this summer

The Cramlington Train Wreckers, an acclaimed historical drama about the 1926 General Strike, will make its Derry premiere at The Playhouse on July 8 following a sold-out English tour. Sponsored by NIPSA and other unions, this production dramatizes the story of imprisoned miners to highlight themes of solidarity and injustice.

The Cramlington Train Wreckers is a gripping true story of injustice, solidarity and community,inspired by extraordinary real events from one of the most turbulent moments in labour history.In May 1926, during the General Strike, a train derailment involving the Flying Scotsman led toeight miners from Cramlington being arrested and handed a total of 48 years’ imprisonment,despite no loss of life and only one minor injury.

Widely viewed as a political punishment, the sentences sparked outrage, and sustained trade union pressure eventually secured the men’s release. They returned home as heroes.

Bringing these events to the stage, The Cramlington Train Wreckers has been praised for itswarmth, humour and emotional power, placing working- class voices and collective resistance atthe heart of the story.

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Following sell-out performances at multiple theatres across England, the production now comeshere, sponsored by NIPSA, Unison, Unite, the Fire Brigades Union and the Irish Congress ofTrade Unions (ICTU).

The play will be performed at: The Playhouse, Derry on Wednesday, July 8 at 7.30pm. Tickets are on sale now from The Playhouse.

Carmel Gates, General Secretary of NIPSA, said: “The Cramlington Train Wreckers is a moving and uplifting piece of theatre, rooted in working- class experience and solidarity. We’re proud to help bring this important production to audiences here as the centenary of the General Strike is marked.”

The play is written by Ed Waugh, whose work is well known to local audiences. His acclaimedone-man show Carrying David received five-star reviews at the Lyric Theatre, while Dirty Dusting previously sold out the Grand Opera House.

Ed Waugh commented: “This is a story about ordinary people standing together and refusing to accept injustice. A century on, its themes remain as relevant as ever.”

The production stars Micky Cochrane, recently named Northeast Performer of the Year for his role in the play.

Ed Waugh will visit Derry in June for talks and events ahead of the performances in Belfast and Derry.

You can catch the talks at Waterfront Hall, Belfast, on Wednesday June 17, at 3pm and in Derry’s Playhouse, on Thursday, June 18, at 2pm and 7pm. Entry is free to the talks. All welcome.

For further details, visit the theatre website.