ARTICLE FOR THE MORNING STAR
ARTS PAGE
Copyright Peter and Ann Frost 2013
A play tailor-made
for Trades Unionists.
Peter Frost talks to communist playwright Ian Buckley whose play The
Tailors’ Last Stand opens in London on Feb 19 for a three week run.
The snow was thick outside when I met
communist playwright Ian Buckley last weekend. Before the interview we listened
to the morning news.
It announced that despite all the best
hopes and bluster from Osborne, Cameron and Clegg, Britain was still not just
in the economic mire but probably heading for a triple dip recession.
Ian’s new play is set five years ago in
2009. In another snowy January that year came the official announcement that
Britain had just gone into that recession.
Ian’s play doesn’t deal with these big
issues directly. His is a close-up look at four old London tailors; all communists
and two of them Jewish. They are gathering in Bethnal Green Labour Party Rooms.
It’s the final meeting of the Members
and Spouses of the GMB, London Branch but for them, each after well over half a
century of membership, their union will always be the good old NUTGW – the
National Union of Tailor and Garment Workers. Max,
Barney, Tom and George come together to perform the last rites over their
beloved union branch and consign it to history.
So where did Ian Buckley get his story?
It’s my dad’s story.” Ian explained “My father
Ernie is the inspiration for one of the characters. “Dad is now 93 and all his working
life he created expensive suits. “He worked in far from salubrious workshops in
Soho but the suits he made were sold for thousands of guineas by the posh
tailors of Savile Row.
“My play
is about four lovable rogues, one of whom happens to be my dad. “They all share
the same political ideal but trying to follow it creates total comic mayhem. This
last union meeting is meant to be a solemn affair but things don’t go to plan. A
chance remark and suddenly all hell breaks loose. Instead of bidding a sad
farewell to a life of struggle they’re up to their necks in unforeseen events
and dodgy stories.”
“But for
all the comic twists and turns,” Ian says, “I hope the play shows the real
affection these men have for each other and for their union and the nostalgia
that grips them as they say that final goodbye. My play is a memory and a
tribute to them”.
Playwright
Buckley is no stranger to communist ideas. Still politically active, Ian now spends
much of his time across the channel where he works with the Communist Party of
France. “I love the fact they still have huge marches and demonstrations. I
love the sight of all those red hammer and sickle banners.”
He tells
the story of how proud his communist parents were when he won an Exhibition to
Christ’s College, Cambridge. “I was the
first student from a state comprehensive to enter the hallowed portals of
Christ's College where I gained an Honours degree in English Literature. He
sounded just as proud to explain “I am also the first lad from one of those
comprehensives to gain a soccer blue. I played at Wembley against Oxford.”
An MA at
Kent University on Sean O’Casey followed and convinced Ian to become a
playwright himself.
Alongside
a career teaching drama and writing at colleges and university he has seen his
plays produced on BBC Radio, at numerous fringe theatres and even in a dockers’ social club. In fact one of his plays - The
Revolutionary - based on a communist second-hand car dealer was broadcast both on
BBC Radio 4 and on German radio, Hessischer Rundfunk.
Today, although the Tailors’ old union
forms part of the mighty GMB, the union has never forgotten its historic roots.
It is assisting the play financially and taking over the whole theatre for a
special performance for GMB members on the 23rd January.
In the audience will be GMB General
Secretary Paul Kenny who in earlier days with the union had the responsibility
for the Tailoring section. Paul worked closely with, and became a great friend
of, Ernie Buckley.
“Me and my dad are both proud and
delighted that his union is getting behind the play,” said Ian.
Boxed Copy
Ian
Buckley’s The Tailors Last Stand
opens on February 19 until March 10, 7.30 pm; Sundays 6.30 pm; matinees
March 2 & 9, 2.30 pm at the Barons Court Theatre, The Curtains Up pub, 28a Comeragh
Road, London W14 9HR Box Office: 020
8932 4747.
Alternative slightly shorter boxed copy
Ian
Buckley’s The Tailors Last Stand
opens on February 19 until March 10. at the Barons Court Theatre,
The Curtains Up pub, 28a Comeragh Road, London W14 9HR Box Office: 020 8932 4747.