A POWERFUL play retelling the story of the Grunwick Strike is coming to rural Dorset for one night only.

We are the Lions, Mr Manager has already been performed in Dorchester and Bridport and will now be performed at Halstock Village Hall.

Marking the 40th anniversary of the Grunwick Strike 1976- 78, acclaimed theatre company Townsend Productions are currently on a nationwide tour with this brand new drama. The show, which has been receiving rave reviews across the country, will be performed just once with Artsreach the counties touring arts charity.

On August 20 1976 a group of workers in a film processing factory in Willesden walked out in protest at their unfair working conditions, low pay and the 'bullying tactics' used by management. Led by mostly East African Asian women, the Grunwick strike became one of the longest and most important industrial disputes in British history, and changed the way trade unions thought about race and new immigrant communities coming to Britain in the 1970s. It is also the story of a remarkable woman, Jayaben Desai and her fight for Union recognition, freedom, equality and human dignity. Desai was recently amongst those named as having the biggest impact on women's lives over the past 70 years as part of the Radio 4 Women's Hour Power List.

The play features musical direction from folk music legend John Kirkpatrick.

*We are the Lions, Mr Manager, Halstock Village Hall, Friday February 23, 7.30pm. Tickets and further information available from 01935 891744 or online at www.artsreach.co.uk