Any one ever go to the Playhouse to see "The Stirrings in Sheffield on Saturday Night"?

I can still remember the tune to the song, well the first line anyway.

Must have been the sixties.

I recently bought a copy of the script, although I have'nt read it yet.

I'm sure I saw it at the Abbeydale Hamlet, done one summer out m the open. It was very effectve, using the old buidings as background.
Later than that though probabley in the 80s
hazel.

Yes I saw the original production at the old Playhouse many years ago, and I still have the EP (remember them?)of the music,the Royal George pub in Carver St referred to was still standing then or was it being demolished?,whatever,prior to the opening some publicity photographs were taken of the actor playing the principal character amidst the ruins.
I also attended the revival of the production at the Crucible when Rony Robinson did some work on it.
Was the perpertrator of the outrages called William Broadhead?,my ageing memory is floundering a bit on this!

Originally posted by Harlan

Was the perpertrator of the outrages called William Broadhead?,my ageing memory is floundering a bit on this!

You are right, according to the script he was played by Wilfred Harrison.

Also in the script one of the singer,s called "Minnie" was Sharon Duce. Whatever happened to her I wonder.

The first performance was 31 May 1966. Then in 68 and then in 73 at the Crucible. Has it been done recently?

Never knew they made a EP of the music, is it by the original performers in 66?

Originally posted by Lostrider
Any one ever go to the Playhouse to see "The Stirrings in Sheffeild on Saturday Night"?

I can still remember the tune to the song, well the first line anyway.

Must have been the sixties.

I recently bought a copy of the script, although I have'nt read it yet.

Saw it at the Crucible in the early/mid 1990's. It was fantastic too :clap:

Originally posted by Mo
Saw it at the Crucible in the early/mid 1990's. It was fantastic too :clap:


Just realised, it will be forty years since the first showing next year. I hope some thratre group puts it on. I wonder how popular musicals are these days in the theatre. Last one I saw was The Buddy Holly one at the Lyceum and I really enjoyed it. Cant remember the year fro that either. :)

Found this on Sharon Duce.

Link unavailable

Now my memory is in gear, the music was I think Roderick Horne, and the EP just features him singing alone,the main songs, to his own guitar accompaniment, I remember the great interest in the original production,after all it was a World Premiere. Some years ago I worked in Retford and local amateur group did a production of "Stirrings" and asked for the loan of my EP, and I got it back too!!!!

Originally posted by Harlan
Now my memory is in gear, the music was I think Roderick Horne, and the EP just features him singing alone,the main songs, to his own guitar accompaniment, I remember the great interest in the original production,after all it was a World Premiere. Some years ago I worked in Retford and local amateur group did a production of "Stirrings" and asked for the loan of my EP, and I got it back too!!!!

You are right, the music was written by RH but according to Alan Cullen "the songs and ballads used in the Stirrings are the most part authentic". The two that are not are "Ah Progress and "Ordinary Sheffield Workman" which "were devised by John Hainsworth".

In fact looking at the lyrics to "The Grinders Hardships" I now realise that I heard it sung by Roy Bailey at the Bridgnorth Festival last year.


Any chance you can copy the EP to .WAV files?. PM if you can't, maybe we could arrange something. It must be near impossible to get this recording now. It would be a pity for it to disappear into oblivion.

Leave this with me and I will come back to you.

It must be difficult for theater groups south of nottingham to do The stirrings the dialect would be difficult to get reet ant southerners wunt unnstanit thanoos

I left Sheffield in 66.
I used to go to the Playhouse, but I remember it has a repertory theatre more of a training ground for acters.
Doing the traditional stuff 'Shaw' and such.
What is ' The Stirrings in Sheffield on Saturday night'

Originally posted by sweetdexter
I left Sheffield in 66.
I used to go to the Playhouse, but I remember it has a repertory theatre more of a training ground for acters.
Doing the traditional stuff 'Shaw' and such.
What is ' The Stirrings in Sheffield on Saturday night'

From the script

"A musical documentary set against the backdrop of music hall, revue sketch, monologue and folk song, the play chronicles the violent stirrings in the Sheffield politics of the 1860's. The central problems then as now, were, wages and prices: the unions fighting the small employer and the machine: a new business attempting to compete with a monopoly."

The play was based on facts and historical documents of the time.

The writer Alan Cullen the Playhouse "resident playwright" also did two more plays for the playhouse, "Ring o Roses" and "The life and times of Charlie Peace", neither of which I have seen.

Am I imagining or did Tony Capstick record the Grinders song on the B side of his one hit ' Capstick comes home'? I'm sure he recorded it somewhere.

Originally posted by algy
Am I imagining or did Tony Capstick record the Grinders song on the B side of his one hit ' Capstick comes home'? I'm sure he recorded it somewhere.

I dont know, but heres the lyrics to Capstick comes home for your enjoyment.


CAPSTICK COMES HOME
( 'Hovis' Advert Parody )
by
Tony Capstick



I'll never forget that first day at t'pit.
Me an' mi father worked a 72 hour shift, then wi walked home 43 mile through t'snow in us bare feet, huddled inside us clothes med out o' old sacks.
Eventually we trudged over t'hill until wi could see t'street light twinklin' in our village.
Mi father smiled down at mi through t'icicles hangin' off his nose. "Nearly home now lad", he said.
We stumbled into t'house and stood there freezin' cold and tired out, shiverin' and miserable, in front o' t' meagre fire.
Any road, mi mam says "Cheer up, lads. I've got you some nice brown bread and butter for yer tea."
Ee, mi father went crackers. He reached out and gently pulled mi mam towards 'im by t'throat. "You big fat, idle ugly wart", he said. "You gret useless spawny-eyed parrot-faced wazzock." ('E had a way wi words, mi father. He'd bin to college, y'know). "You've been out playin' bingo all afternoon instead o' gettin' some proper snap ready for me an' this lad", he explained to mi poor, little, purple-faced mam.
Then turnin' to me he said "Arthur", (He could never remember mi name), "here's half a crown. Nip down to t'chip 'oyl an' get us a nice piece o' 'addock for us tea. Man cannot live by bread alone."
He were a reyt tater, mi father.
He said as 'ow workin' folk should have some dignity an' pride an' self respect, an' as 'ow they should come home to summat warm an' cheerful.
An' then he threw mi mam on t'fire.
We didn't 'ave no tellies or shoes or bedclothes.
We med us own fun in them days.
Do you know, when I were a lad you could get a tram down into t'town, buy three new suits an' an ovvercoat, four pair o' good boots, go an' see George Formby at t'Palace Theatre, get blind drunk, 'ave some steak an' chips, bunch o' bananas an' three stone o' monkey nuts an' still 'ave change out of a farthing.
We'd lots o' things in them days they 'aven't got today - rickets, diptheria, Hitler and my, we did look well goin' to school wi' no backside in us trousers an' all us little 'eads painted purple because we 'ad ringworm.
They don't know they're born today!!!

Originally posted by algy
Am I imagining or did Tony Capstick record the Grinders song on the B side of his one hit ' Capstick comes home'? I'm sure he recorded it somewhere.

Did a quick check on the web for this info and it appears that Tony recorded the "Sheffield Grinder" on the B side of "Capstick Comes Home", but looking at the lyrics it is not the same song as the one from the Stirrings "The Grinders Hardships".

Sheffield Grinder (http://sniff.numachi.com/~rickheit/dtrad/pages/tiSHEFGRDR.html)

Thanks Lostrider. Tony's death was a very sad loss to South Yorkshire,his sense of humour and local knowledge were second to none!

From the script


The writer Alan Cullen the Playhouse "resident playwright" also did two more plays for the playhouse, "Ring o Roses" and "The life and times of Charlie Peace", neither of which I have seen.

Alan Cullen wrote children's Christmas plays for the Playhouse for many years during my childhood - oh, so many years ago now!

Trudi and the Minstral, John Willy and the Bee People and Island of the Winds (With Ann Stallybrass as Depression Number Three) are the ones I remember well.

Yes, I attended the Playhouse Theatre to see The Stirrings but can't remember too much about it. There was an actor at that time at The Playhouse called Christopher Wilkinson, who was very good but whether he had a part in that, I'm not sure?
I remember a Tyneside equivalent of that time: "Close The Coalhouse Door" (1969) with John Woodvine. I thought that was musically ahead of The Stirrings.

My sister has a small speaking role as the buffer girl at the revival production at The Crucible in early 90's. It was a fantastic play :thumbsup:

Saw it at the Crucible in the early/mid 1990's. It was fantastic too :clap:

Mo glad you liked the production.

Regards... Pete
(A cast member)

:) Saw The Stirrings at the Crucible, still remember it.Am now married to a descendant of William Ernest Broadhead and would love to know more about him. Can anyone help?:help:

Any one ever go to the Playhouse to see "The Stirrings in Sheffeild on Saturday Night"?

I can still remember the tune to the song, well the first line anyway.

Must have been the sixties.

I recently bought a copy of the script, although I have'nt read it yet.
I went to see stirrings at the playhouse with my mum, one of my mates was a junior actor in it.

Am I imagining or did Tony Capstick record the Grinders song on the B side of his one hit ' Capstick comes home'? I'm sure he recorded it somewhere.
I think tony actually wrote the songs, and maybe even collaborated with the script?

In response to Hazel, there was a performance at Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet of an historical musical but it wasn't the Stirrings. It was written by Kevin McKenna who worked at the Drama Studio near the University and also at The Crucible. I seem to remember Tony Capstick being involved somewhere along the line. It might have been called 'Grinders' Grudge'.

Myshkin.
It was a long time ago so you may be right , I would be watching it in about the 80's, I was sure it was Stirrings in Sheffield, but the memory plays tricks.
hazel

Any one ever go to the Playhouse to see "The Stirrings in Sheffeild on Saturday Night"?

I can still remember the tune to the song, well the first line anyway.

Must have been the sixties.

I recently bought a copy of the script, although I have'nt read it yet.

I saw it at The Playhouse in the mid sixties. It was fantastic at the time. Dorothy Vernon and Roderick Horn played the minstrels. The music was by Roderick Horn I believe. Wilfred Harrison played Bill Broadhead, as did I in an amateur production years later.

Yes I saw the original production at the old Playhouse many years ago, and I still have the EP (remember them?)of the music,the Royal George pub in Carver St referred to was still standing then or was it being demolished?,whatever,prior to the opening some publicity photographs were taken of the actor playing the principal character amidst the ruins.
I also attended the revival of the production at the Crucible when Rony Robinson did some work on it.
Was the perpertrator of the outrages called William Broadhead?,my ageing memory is floundering a bit on this!


That's right Harlan - he was William Broadhead and he always signed his threatening letters 'Mary Anne'. He was a real person of course in the Sheffield of the1860's.

Yes, I attended the Playhouse Theatre to see The Stirrings but can't remember too much about it. There was an actor at that time at The Playhouse called Christopher Wilkinson, who was very good but whether he had a part in that, I'm not sure?
I remember a Tyneside equivalent of that time: "Close The Coalhouse Door" (1969) with John Woodvine. I thought that was musically ahead of The Stirrings.


I saw Close The Coalhouse door at the old Leeds Playhouse. Afraid I like Stirrings better.

Alan Cullen wrote children's Christmas plays for the Playhouse for many years during my childhood - oh, so many years ago now!

Trudi and the Minstral, John Willy and the Bee People and Island of the Winds (With Ann Stallybrass as Depression Number Three) are the ones I remember well.


There was also 'Listen to the trains love'.

I think tony actually wrote the songs, and maybe even collaborated with the script?


I think it was an Allen Cullen/Rederick horne masterpiece.

In response to Hazel, there was a performance at Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet of an historical musical but it wasn't the Stirrings. It was written by Kevin McKenna who worked at the Drama Studio near the University and also at The Crucible. I seem to remember Tony Capstick being involved somewhere along the line. It might have been called 'Grinders' Grudge'.


The song sung by William Broadhead in Act 1 of The Stirrings.......... was The Grinders' Hardships.

I have joined this forum purely to answer this question.... Im actually not from Yorkshire I am from Birmingham but was just nosying around when I saw this question.....

The song 'The Sheffield Grinder' is on the B -side of 'Capstick Comes Home'. I have an original copy of it on a 45 Vinyl. I shall give you some of the lyrics, can't remember them all am having to do it from memory...

To be a Sheffield grinder
it is no easy trade
There's more than you'd imagine
in the grinding of a blade
The strongest man among us
is old as 32
There's few brave such hardships
as we poor grinders do....

Every working day
we are breathing dust and steel
and a broken stone can give us
a wool that will not heel...

Sorry, can't remember any more.

As for Capstick comes home, the first time I heard that tune I was in stiches.... I think that I was only about 10 years old when my dad first played it to me, I am now 29 and the words for that tune are etched into my brain... very funny indeed. Furthermore, I know that people say that the background music to Capstick Comes Home is the hovis tune but its actually Ludwig Van Beethovens 'New World Symphony - Opus 28' - and what a wonderful piece of music it is too.

You are right, according to the script he was played by Wilfred Harrison.

Also in the script one of the singer,s called "Minnie" was Sharon Duce. Whatever happened to her I wonder.

The first performance was 31 May 1966. Then in 68 and then in 73 at the Crucible. Has it been done recently?

Never knew they made a EP of the music, is it by the original performers in 66?

Dorothy Vernon originally played the part of Miss Blanche De La Fleur who was really Minnie Murgatroyd, at the Playhouse. I saw her do it. When she shouted 'Thee shut thi gob fat arse' to a member of the audience in the Music Hall scene, it was brilliant. In the Music Hall scene, the chairman was played by Colin George, director of the show and also Dorothy's real life husband. No one has ever topped her in that part and I have seen the show many times and also appeared in it too. The first person to play Minnie at The Crucible was Fanny Carby, who married Roderick Horne, composer of the show's music, and was one of the original minstrels, together with Dorothy Vernon. I have an LP (not EP) of the songs, but it is The Crucible cast who sing.

Saw it at the Crucible when the leading male was one William Wordsworth who was the grandson or great grandson of the poet.

Dorothy Vernon originally played the part of Miss Blanche De La Fleur who was really Minnie Murgatroyd, at the Playhouse. I saw her do it. When she shouted 'Thee shut thi gob fat arse' to a member of the audience in the Music Hall scene, it was brilliant. In the Music Hall scene, the chairman was played by Colin George, director of the show and also Dorothy's real life husband. No one has ever topped her in that part and I have seen the show many times and also appeared in it too. The first person to play Minnie at The Crucible was Fanny Carby, who married Roderick Horne, composer of the show's music, and was one of the original minstrels, together with Dorothy Vernon. I have an LP (not EP) of the songs, but it is The Crucible cast who sing.

I remember Dorothy Vernon and Stirrings well, but it has nothing to do with the play! I was at Chaucer school when she was the drama teacher there. How can I put this, she was a bit “up front”, in fact she had quite a lot up front. This caused many a stirring among the pubescent pupils, including myself. Miss Vernon was the subject of more fantasies than she could ever imagine, or perhaps she was well aware of her effect.
Incidentally, she was apparently influential in Sharon Duce becoming an actress but I’m not sure how the two were linked.

I have an old book of Sheffield and district songs published by the City Museum many years ago (possibly in response to the interest aroused by the Stirrings) "Cum all yo Cutlin Heroes". The Jolly Grinder is described as, Trad. in Wilson 1862. Tune D.A.E.S & Roderick Horn.

Other songs from the Wilson collection are, Cutlin Heroes, Jovial Cutlers, Jolly Grinder (broadsheet 235M), Saturday Night and File Hewers Lamentation.

Opinions seem to vary about Owd Smeet 'em, as William Broadhead was known, I regard him as a great local hero.

Any one ever go to the Playhouse to see "The Stirrings in Sheffeild on Saturday Night"?

I can still remember the tune to the song, well the first line anyway.

Must have been the sixties.

I recently bought a copy of the script, although I have'nt read it yet.I saw it at the Playhouse ,and the lead role was taken by that great actor David Bradley,who you still see in films and TV today.

I saw it at the Playhouse ,and the lead role was taken by that great actor David Bradley,who you still see in films and TV today.

David Bradley (Harry Potter's caretaker) was in the production, but the lead was played by Wilfred Harrison. When the film 'Kes' was made, the part of Billy Casper was played by a teenage David Bradley, who had to change his Christian name (for theatrical purposes) to Dai. This was an Equity ruling - no two actors could have the same name.

Yes, I saw The Stirrings in about 1969-70.
I had been a regular at the Playhouse in 1966-67 as I was quite friendly with one of the cast, the late Rosemary Towler.

I saw The Stirrings at the Playhouse in the 60`s when we had a school outing. Wonderful production, very entertaining and gave me a taste of how good a night at the theatre really is.

The first stage play i saw was at a small theatre up a lane at the bottom of broard lane, [anyone recall it]Idid enjoy it , it was NIGHT MUST FALL written by a welsh writer, cant remember his name. this would be about 1944 so it will have to be an oldie. CHEERS aRTHUR

I think you are talking about the Playhouse. I'm sure it was on Townhead Street which connects to Broad Lane. The entrance was up an alley off Townhead street I think, (it was along time ago when I last went).

The play you refer to was by Emlyn Williams. Here is a link to the Movie which followed.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029310/

The first stage play i saw was at a small theatre up a lane at the bottom of broard lane, [anyone recall it]Idid enjoy it , it was NIGHT MUST FALL written by a welsh writer, cant remember his name. this would be about 1944 so it will have to be an oldie. CHEERS aRTHUR
Hi Arthur,

Night Must Fall was a 1938 production at the Playhouse. That is the date given in a book published in 1959 about the Sheffield Company.. it was a long time ago of course, but could that fit with your memories?

There are four pictures of the Playhouse on my web-site, if you follow my Link below. http://theatrical-mcgoohan.mysite.orange.co.uk/page1.html, two of the interior in 1945, and one of the frontage around 1960.

:)

I saw Stirrings in Sheffield during the 60s. I believe David Bradley (Angus Filch in Harry Potter - the caretaker of Hogwarts) was one of the leading actors in it but when I have searched google it says he didn't become an actor until 1971 can you cast any light on this?
I thought Stirrings in Sheffield was a brilliant production

just read previous entries about David Bradley and Stirrings - relieved my memory is serving me well (well ok!)

The first stage play i saw was at a small theatre up a lane at the bottom of broard lane, [anyone recall it]Idid enjoy it , it was NIGHT MUST FALL written by a welsh writer, cant remember his name. this would be about 1944 so it will have to be an oldie. CHEERS aRTHUR

Arthur - Night Must Fall comes from the pen of Emlyn Williams.

I'm the great, great, grandson of William Broadhead, the subject of 'The Stirrings in Sheffield on a Saturday Night'. Quite a character, my Gran has a very impressive inkwell with two rams horns attached that was presented to him all those years ago. He meant well, just got a bit zealous. I have seen the play, which, ironically was first staged in Stoke on Trent, and have a copy of the play.

DaveB1968, Did you ever get hold of a copy of a Victorian novel by Charles Reade called "Put Yourself in His Place"? It was based on the outrages. I must say that. having been written when it was, and by an outsider, it didn't give a very sympathetic view of Bill Broadhead. I have always been surprised that the story, with a more understanding study of Broadhead, wasn't taken up in more recent times and turned into a novel or a film.
Many years ago, when I was studying the outrages, I met Broadhead's grandson --he lived somewhere near Little London Lane at Norton.

Your are absolutely right. It's a facinating story, Owd Smeet'em, is one of my great favorites.

I have:huh: joined this forum to try to find out if anyone has got the words to "Sheffield Grinder".

I was in the play mentioned earlier at the Retford Little Theatre, and I will remember it as long as I live. It is a fabulous play with terrific music, my favourite being Grinder. If anyone knows how I can download a copy of the words I would be very grateful.

I remember more of the words than robbieh 29 can, but am still not sure of the whole thing.

I have:huh: joined this forum to try to find out if anyone has got the words to "Sheffield Grinder".

I was in the play mentioned earlier at the Retford Little Theatre, and I will remember it as long as I live. It is a fabulous play with terrific music, my favourite being Grinder. If anyone knows how I can download a copy of the words I would be very grateful.

I remember more of the words than robbieh 29 can, but am still not sure of the whole thing.

I played the part of William Broadhead in 1988. The Sheffield Grinder is a great song, I agree. I also loved the Music Hall scene, and Miss Blanche de la Fleur's (Minnie Murgatroyd) rendition of 'Nellie Dean'. I always thought that Colin George and Roderick Horn had been to Stoke to see 'The Jolly Potters'. It gave Roderick the idea for Stirrings, which was premiered at the old Sheffield Playhouse. Perhaps I am wrong.

Yes, it was definitely at the Playhouse that "Stirrings" was first staged. It must have been mid-1966.
As for the words, the play was published at the height of its popularity, so the song would be in there if you can trace copies; and, of course, in later times Tony Capstick made a record. (In fact, I think an LP was made of the music from the original play).
By the way, when "Stirrings" was revived at the Crucible many years later, they made a number of changes and, frankly, it lacked the spirit of the original. It seemed to me much more flippant than the original --which had a great imopact with Wilfred Harison as Bill Broadhead.
I think it is a shame that the story on which the play was based was never written up as a novel --and, done properly, it would have made a great film
The only work of fiction nased on the Sheffield Outrages was Put Yourself in His place by Victorian novelist Charles Reade, and that is rather an old-fashioned read by today's standards.
Many years ago, I met Broadhead's grandson, and he said that for many years the family kept a rather low profile, which is sad, for it was a phase in history and Broadhead was as much a victim as anyone.

I have:huh: joined this forum to try to find out if anyone has got the words to "Sheffield Grinder".

I was in the play mentioned earlier at the Retford Little Theatre, and I will remember it as long as I live. It is a fabulous play with terrific music, my favourite being Grinder. If anyone knows how I can download a copy of the words I would be very grateful.

I remember more of the words than robbieh 29 can, but am still not sure of the whole thing.

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/folk-song-lyrics/Sheffield_Grinder.htm or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTXjp2bf1vo

That is brilliant, Chairboy!

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/folk-song-lyrics/Sheffield_Grinder.htm or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTXjp2bf1vo



The Song you are looking for is Grinders Hardships not The Sheffield Grinder.

THE GRINDERS' HARDSHIPS


(Written for the Grinders' Misfortune Society of Crookes, Sheffield; c. 1804)



To be a Sheffield grinder it is no easy trade;
There's more than you'd imagine in the grinding of a blade.
The strongest man amongst us is old at thirty-two,
For there's few who brave such hardships as we poor grinders do.
For there's few, &c.



It happened in the year eighteen hundred and five,
From May-day to Christmas the season was quite dry;
That all our oldest grinders such a time never knew,
For there's few who brave the hardships that we poor grinders do.
For there's few, &c.



In summer time we can't work till water does appear,
And if this does not happen the season is severe:
Then our fingers are numb'd by keen winter frosts or snow,
And few can brave the hardships that we poor grinders do.
And few, &c.



When war is proclaimed our masters quickly cry,
"Orders countermanded", our goods we all lay by;
Your prices we must settle, and you'll be stinted too-
There's few suffer such hardships as we poor grinders do.
There's few, &c.



There seldom comes a day but our dairy-maid goes wrong,
And if that does not happen, perhaps we break a stone;
Which may wound us for life or give us our final blow,
For there's few that brave such hardships as we poor grinders do.
For there's few, &c.



There's many a poor grinder who's thus been snatched away
Without a moment's warning to meet the Judgment day.
Before his Judge he must appear, his final doom to know;
There are few who brave such hardships as we poor grinders do.
There's few, &c.



Thus many a poor grinder, whose family is large,
That with his best endeavours cannot his debts discharge;
When children cry for bread, how pitiful the view,
Though few can brave such hardships as we poor grinders do.
Though few, &c.



So now I must conclude these few humble rhymes
With "Success to all grinders" who suffer in hard times;
I wish them better fortune, their families the same,
And may we never experience such hardships again.
By being further stinted and paying discount too,
There are few who brave such hardships as we grinders do.
There are few, &c.

I saw the original production of "Stirrings" in 1966 at the Playhouse. Excellent entertainment.
In 1990, as part of our study of the Industrial Revolution, I visited the Crucible to see it with a party of 13 year old pupils from Wakefield. Brought the curriculum to life and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Listen For The Trains, Love by Stan Barstow with songs by Alex Glasgow, was equally as good.
The Crucible is a very good theatre but the old Playhouse had an intimate atmosphere which was hard to recreate.

The sound recording from Stirrings is available for free download from
time-has-told-me.blogspot.com


'Put Yourself in His place' by Charles Reade is available for free download from the gutenberg project.

I can't put in the URLs as I'm a newcomer to the forum, but a Google search will get you there

Wilfred Harrison, whose life revolved around the Sheffield Playhouse and who starred as William Broadhead in The Stirrings production, has sadly passed away at 91.

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Theatre-pioneer-Wilfred-dies-at.5869867.jp

Wilfred Harrison, whose life revolved around the Sheffield Playhouse and who starred as William Broadhead in The Stirrings production, has sadly passed away at 91.

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Theatre-pioneer-Wilfred-dies-at.5869867.jp

Wilfred Harrison was terrific as Broadhead in the original "Stirrings" --I can't think of anyone in later years who made a better job of the part. Moreover, Wilfred was one of a group of actors at the old Playhouse who will always be remembered with great affection by those who were Townhead Street regulars.

Alan Cullen wrote children's Christmas plays for the Playhouse for many years during my childhood - oh, so many years ago now!

Trudi and the Minstral, John Willy and the Bee People and Island of the Winds (With Ann Stallybrass as Depression Number Three) are the ones I remember well.


Yes these productions were fantastic! Something to really look forward to! I used to see as many as I could in the 60's but some sod closed the playhouse down and for something worth a lot less...typically! (Have wished 'Montezuma's Revenge' on that guy many times! :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

Watching the "stirings" at the playhouse on Townhead Street was my first experience of theatre and one I will never forget.

Dave Dawson was the English teacher at Rowlinson I have to thank for the experience.

Watching the "stirings" at the playhouse on Townhead Street was my first experience of theatre and one I will never forget.

Dave Dawson was the English teacher at Rowlinson I have to thank for the experience.

Same for me Wisbech and I have seen every production of it since but none quite like the first time I saw it at The Playhouse I also bought the long playing record they sold there and still got it.

I played William Broadhead in our School's (Carter Lodge School) production of the Stirrings in 1984, it was a cracking part to play and I still have a few photos from the production, good times :)

I didn't see the original though I was in the Newbold Green School (Chesterfield) play in the 80s. I Have the Sheffield Original Cast LP in poor condition! I see it is on at the Pomegranite Theatre Chestefield later this year - an amateur version by Chesterfield Playgoers.

I didn't see the original though I was in the Newbold Green School (Chesterfield) play in the 80s. I Have the Sheffield Original Cast LP in poor condition! I see it is on at the Pomegranite Theatre Chestefield later this year - an amateur version by Chesterfield Playgoers.

I will definately be going to this. Off to find the website!

I will definately be going to this. Off to find the website!

Hi
i'm the stage manager for chesterfield playgoers. we are doing the 'stirrings on sheffield' at the pomegranate theatre in chesterfield. it will be running from wednesday 17th November to saturday 20th. shows start at 7:30pm tickets available from the box office or there website

hope you all can come and see it as we plan to put on a good show.

Any questions feel free to contact me at rich_foster@hotmail.com
thanks

Hi
i'm the stage manager for chesterfield playgoers. we are doing the 'stirrings on sheffield' at the pomegranate theatre in chesterfield. it will be running from wednesday 17th November to saturday 20th. shows start at 7:30pm tickets available from the box office or there website

hope you all can come and see it as we plan to put on a good show.

Any questions feel free to contact me at rich_foster@hotmail.com
thanks

Followed this link from the Pomegranate site to book but it is not listed?
Booking (http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?agency=POMEGRANATE_val=26786=list <http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?agency=POMEGRANATE&organ_val=26786&schedule=list)

[QUOTE=Lostrider;6614372]Followed this link from the Pomegranate site to book but it is not listed?
I've just noticed that! If you would like to book tickets you can call the box office on 01246 345222. I'll speak to the theatre about there website.

This thread seems have gone on for a while. I have only just joined. I saw the original production of Stirrings at the Playhouse and also saw it at the Crucible more than once. Think I may have seen it at Abbeydaley Industrial Hamlet as well although my memory may be playing tricks. I have an LP of The Crucible Production of The Stirrings In Sheffield On Saturday Night which was done by EMI in 1973. I imagine it is fairly rare. The play still remains one of my favourites ever.

There is a book The Sheffield Outrages first published 1867 the report presented to the trades union commissioners containing full minuted evidence from all parties, who were granted a certificate of indemnity for giving full and truthful evidence. A good thing or we would never have gotten the full story.

Got the Sheffield Outrages Book. Bought it around 1975 from Foyles in Charing X Road. They just had the one copy which was slightly shop soiled and so got it for around 1/2 price (I think £17.50 which was a lot of money given that my salary then would have been around £700 pa). The book did a lot to shape my future view of things. I was also lucky enough to introduced to William Broadhead's grandson around that time. He was in his 80's and told me his family didn't speak about him too much. He showed me Wm Broadhead's apprentice indentures(think that's what they were called), which he let me borrow for a few day's. I wish that I'd photocopied them but don't think photocopying was easily available in the mid '70's

I too saw the original production at the Playhouse, before the Crucible was built, and also subsequently acquired a copy of the facsimile of the Royal Commission into the Outrages, which does make fascinating reading. For those who like obscure facts, you may like to know that the Victorian novelist Charles Reade (1814-84)--best known for his medieval historical novel The Cloister and the Hearth, which depicts the life of the father of Erasmus, and is still in print--also wrote a novel called Put Yourself in his Place (1870) based on the Outrages. It's not very well written, and sadly Reade never made it into the top-notch list of Victorian writers, but he does attempt something of the Sheffield dialect in depicting the working-class characters. Certainly an interesting read, but probably a bit hard to get hold of these days. I was lucky to find a copy a few years ago.

We did "The Stirrings" as our school play.... King Teds around 1982/1983

Really enjoyed it!!! I can hear the songs now..... :cool: :cool:

The Playhouse - Stirrings In Sheffield

For those who didn't know, The Sheffield Playhouse was situated in a alleyway cum lane that ran from Pinfold Street (not Trippet Lane) down to Townhead Street. I remember well the massive smooth flagstones and the guttering down the middle and the white railing bar all the way down and the Playhouse was on the left below half way. The address was Townhead Street. At the top of the lane was the bus stop for the 51 bus to Gleadless Townend (where I lived)/ Charnock Estate (possibly Herdings in those days) 1969-70-71. I don't know exactly when the Playhouse closed, possibly 71-72. Names of some people from Sheffield Playhouse in the mid 60's are :- John Pickles, Peter Denyer, Elizabeth Bell, Carrie Findlay, Tina Heaf, Zibba Mays, David Richardson, Edward Poulter and my favourite actor New Zealander James Laurenson who was later in Boney, Heartbeat, Morse and many others.
As regards to 'The Stirrings in Sheffield on Saturday Night' I have 3 LP's for sale. The LP's are from 1973 SLCW 1019 Crucible Theatre's production pressed by EMI. 1 copy is in almost perfect nick with lyric sheet and the other 2 are in average condition without lyric sheet (I will have to photocopy). Music is by Roderick Horn. According to the mass of info on the sleeve 'Stirrings’ originally opened May 6 1966. I also have 2 copies of the E.P. 'Songs from The Sheffield Playhouse' (picture sleeve) UN 191004, on the Unit Nineteen label. The E.P. has 6 songs played by Roderick Horn and Dorothy Vernon.

Side 1 - The Stirrings In Sheffield on Saturday Night
Song 1, The Grinders Hardships, song 2 Sheffield Workmen
Side 2 - Trudi and The Minstrel
Song 1, Says I To Myself, song 2 Oh What Times
John Willy and The Bee People
Song 1, Tiddly-I, song 2 Fussabout.

The E.P's are from 1966 and one is near mint condition, the other is in very good nick.
I also have 4 copies of the 'Capstick Comes Home' single, B-side is called The Sheffield Grinder (Horn as composer). 1 record excellent condition, 3 average.
Zakes 075 943 10152

I saw the production at the Pomegranate last night 19/11/10. Sadly it was under-rehearsed, many of the songs cut out and the production very dissapointing! The end - "Trade Union Bill passed in paliament" was hardly audible. I wish a professional company would take on this brilliant play!

I saw the production at the Pomegranate last night 19/11/10. Sadly it was under-rehearsed, many of the songs cut out and the production very dissapointing! The end - "Trade Union Bill passed in paliament" was hardly audible. I wish a professional company would take on this brilliant play!

The version of the script we were given to work from was the one with most of the songs cut out - it was most odd, we were only made aware of the fact that there was more than one version very late into rehearsals.

Still, the cast had a ball, despite its obvious problems - I played Hallam, by the way. Fun part. Fun play, too.

My previous post probably sounded too damning. We will continue to support Chesterfield Playgoers productions. They put on great shows.We did enjoy the performance and had a good night. Pity you didn't get the original script!

Any one ever go to the Playhouse to see "The Stirrings in Sheffield on Saturday Night"?

I can still remember the tune to the song, well the first line anyway.

Must have been the sixties.

I recently bought a copy of the script, although I have'nt read it yet.

A brilliant play I believe it was 1965/66 I was about 11 or 12 years old.

Hi,

I am particularly interested in putting this play on as the debut for a theatre company I am in the process of setting up. Would you be able to tell me where I might get a script from?

I saw the original at the Playhouse, went with my mum because a mate who was an actor in it got us free tickets, his name was Terry King, I think his flat mate Jeff Rawles was in it too, he later achieved a measure of TV stardom as Billy Liar.

I went to see "Stirrings" at Chesterfield Pomegranate earlier this year or end of last year, really enjoyed it although some of the supposed Sheff accents were atrocious but it was only an amatuer production and was pretty good on the whole.

I went to see the original at The Playhouse, a mate who was in it called Terry King got me and my mum free tickets. He was sharing a flat with Jeff Rawles at the time who I think was also in it and went on to acheive TV stardom as Billy Liar.

Now my memory is in gear, the music was I think Roderick Horne, and the EP just features him singing alone,the main songs, to his own guitar accompaniment,...

I went to a history event in Conisborough a couple of months back and met an old chap who claimed he used to be on Golden Shot and that he wrote the songs in 'Stirrings'. I didn't catch his name but I've no reason to think he was making it up. Must have been Roderick Horne.

Sheffield Light Opera Company did a production at the Sheffield University Drama Studio at least eight years ago. Does anyone remember that production?

It was the first play I saw at The Crucible - not sure of the year but it was the seventies. It was absolutely superb and I would love to see a revival of it. The "Drunkard's" scene on Hereford St still sticks in mind...comedy heaven!!

I too first saw 'The Stirrings' at the old Playhouse - the original production in 1966 (from which I got my lifelong love of theatre) and again in 1968, and the two Crucible productions (the most recent one was NOT inspiring, I felt, to put it mildly). There was an LP produced for the 1st Crucible revival, with the Crucible, not the original cast: my elderly mother had it, not sure if she still has. I loved the local accents and street names that I knew, the wonderful folk song (if you could call them that) arrangements, the mixed stories of the union atrocities, the founding of the Sheffield Telegraph and the installing for the first time of gas and sewage supplies (the memorably catchy song, 'Ah, progress' was connected with this) and the hilarious associated hole-digging scene. One of the great regrets of my life was disposing of all my Playhouse programmes in a youthful clearing-out fit - if only I'd kept them! But I THINK one of the original performers (who sang 'Bird in a Gilded Cage' in the music hall section was a woman called Dorothy Vernon. (Never heard of her since - if I've got the name right!)

Jude B

The Students did a version of it a few weeks ago (Sept 2011) at the theatre in the old church - I didn't get to it but my sister in law saw it (for the first time) and though it was brilliant

I think Dorothy Vernon was part of the Playhouse Company. I have a vague recollection of seeing her in a childrens Christmas Play at the Playhouse which our saw on a school trip. This must have been sometime between 1958 and 1962 so if she was in the original Stirrings she was with the Playhouse Company for quite a while

I think I saw it at the abbeydale hamlet around the 80's.
hazel

Dorothy Vernon at one time (I think) taught at Chaucer School. Correct me if I am wrong. She was married to Colin George, original director of Stirrings. The Nellie Dean song still makes me laugh. I don't think Fanny Carby (married to Roderick Horne) was quite as good in the part when it was staged at the Crucible. I still have the LP from the Crucible production.