We Are the Lions, Mr Manager!
The cast has been announced for We Are the Lions, Mr Manager! marking 50 years since the Grunwick Strike.

The cast has been announced for the UK tour of the acclaimed We Are the Lions, Mr Manager!, which marks the 50th anniversary of the Grunwick Strike (1976–1978) from Townsend Theatre Productions.
Directed by Louise Townsend and written, performed and with musical direction by Neil Gore, the play features a range of musical styles from the era. Gore is joined by Rukmini Sircar, who stars as Jayaben Desai and plays multiple roles. This timely and urgent retelling of one of the most significant mobilisations in labour movement history brings the inspirational fight for freedom, equality and human dignity to the stage.
Based on the experiences of strike-leader Jayaben Desai and the Grunwick Strike Committee, the play highlights the struggle against the exploitation of immigrant workers, challenging the myth that Asian workers and Asian women were passive and easy prey for exploitation. What began as a local dispute grew into a national movement for justice. This remarkable act of solidarity saw workers take a brave stand, with the labour movement responding in one of its most extraordinary shows of support, paving the way for future generations. More than a strike over wages, the dispute was a battle for dignity at work and a fight for rights and respect in the workplace. Directed and produced by Louise Townsend , this powerful production is emotional, eloquent and compelling.
With its blend of drama, humour and live music, including the involvement of local choirs and South Asian dance groups, the show is an engaging celebration of resistance and solidarity. Capturing the dramatic scenes shown on television news at the time, such as snatch squads, police lines and waves of trade unionists and pickets, the play resonates strongly with recent global scenes of unrest and protest.
The production is presented in association with Arts Council England, Thompsons Solicitors, GMB the union, ASLEF, national trade unions, trades councils and all of Townsend Theatre Productions’ supporters.
The tour begins with a rehearsed reading on 27th September at the Library, Willesden Green, London and continues until 29th November 2025.