New play about International Brigade touring

Marking the 80th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War, Dare Devil Rides To Jarama is a world premiere based on the experiences of The International Brigades during The Spanish Civil War. Looking at the powerful political and economic forces that engulfed 1930s Europe, Dare Devil Rides to Jarama follows why so many ordinary people made the extraordinary choice to leave family and livelihoods and fight in a brutal war so far from home.

When Spaniards rose up to resist General Franco’s military rebellion in 1936, it was an inspiration to millions of people worldwide. Their heroic struggle alerted the rest of the world to the threat of fascism. Dare Devil Rides To Jarama commemorates and celebrates the contribution and sacrifice of the Volunteer International Brigades, including two and a half thousand from Britain and Ireland.

Compelling and humorous, Dare Devil Rides To Jarama focuses on the contrasting lives of Clem Beckett, a Lancashire blacksmith and famous star of the speedway track, and Christopher Caudwell, a renowned writer, poet and philosopher. Both men were killed together at Jarama in February 1937, having become friends as members of the British Battalion’s machine-gun company.

Through stirring song, poetry and compelling movement and dance, Dare Devil Rides To Jarama captures the raw passions and emotions of the time. Musical direction is from acclaimed folk singer and squeeze box player John Kirkpatrick. 
The play has a particular resonance in our current climate as it examines how the economic pressures in the 1930s contributed to the rise of xenophobic tendencies throughout Europe and the failure of a unified left to join together to successfully challenge these forces.

Dare Devil Rides To Jarama aims to bring the full story of the compelling dispute to life in this powerful and thought-provoking new play. This production follows Townsend Productions’ critically acclaimed United We Stand, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and We Will Be Free.

Director Louise Townsend comments, This project is a tremendous opportunity to tell this very intricate and extraordinary story of exceptional people. The challenge is twofold – to do justice to their achievements and to reflect the dense, turbulent political and historical times.

Writer Neil Gore comments, The play is an exciting and evocative piece about the incredible contribution made by the volunteers that made up the International Brigades to fight the forces of fascism and to uphold the power of democracy. It is also an important examination of the fascinating and brilliant life of Clem Beckett who achieved so much in such a short time as a top speedway rider and a rider in the Wall of Death around Europe. 
Dare Devil Rides To Jarama will be performed in Jarama in 2017

AUTUMN 2106 TOUR DATES
SEPTEMBER 
24 The Place Bedford (Box office: www.theplacebedford.org.uk; 01234 354321)
26 -30 Harrogate Theatre (boxoffice@harrogatetheatre.co.uk; 01423502116) 
OCTOBER
1 Harrogate Theatre (boxoffice@harrogatetheatre.co.uk;01423502116)
4 Loganlea Miners Welfare (Box office: 07833496436 The Pitstop: 01501-763354)
5 North Edinburgh Arts (Box office: 0131 315 2151; northedinburgharts.co.uk) 
6 -7 Lowry Salford (Box office: 0843 208 6000; Groups Line: 0843 208 6003) 
8 Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury (Box office: 08448717607; www.atgtickets.com/shows/aylesbury)
11 Guildhall Derby (boxoffice@derby.gov.uk; 01332 255800)
12-15 Oldham Coliseum (Box office: 01616242829; www.coliseum.org.uk) 
18 Quorn Grange Hotel, Quorn, Leicestershire (Box office: 01509 412167)
19 Peterborough Trades Council (Venue & box office TBC)
20 Chilwell Arts Centre Beeston (Box office:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dare-devil-rides-to-jarama-tickets-26670380827?aff=eac2)
21 The Lansdown Hall Stroud (Box office: www.trybooking.co.uk/531)
22 The Seagull, Lowestoft (Box office: 01502 589726; www.theseagull.co.uk)
24- 29 The Bussey Building Peckham (Box Office: 07949635910 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dare-devil-rides-to-jarama-a-new-play-by-neil-gore-tickets-26220522288)
30 The Marx Memorial Library London [extracts & songs (Box office:02072531485;www.marxmemoriallibrary.org.uk)
NOVEMBER
1 Hertford Theatre (Box office: 01992 531500; www.hertfordtheatre.com)
2 Wedgwood Rooms, Southsea (Box office: Wedgewood Rooms 02392863911 Kings Theatre 02392828282)
3 The Plough Arts Centre, Gt Torrington (Box office: 01805624624 www.theploughartscentre.org.uk)
4 Dorchester Arts Centre (Box office: 01305 266926; www.dorchesterarts.org.uk) 
5 Bridport Arts Centre (Box office: www.bridport-arts.com; 01308 424204 
7 Theatre Royal Margate (boxoffice@margatewintergarden.co.uk 01843 292795)
10 The Civic, Barnsley (Box office: 01226 327000; enquirie@barnsleycivic.co.uk
11 Witham Hall, Barnard Castle (Box-office: 01833 631107)
12 Cast Doncaster (Box office: 01302 303 959; castindoncaster.com)
13 Severn Theatre Shrewsbury (Box office: 01743 281281; www.theatresevern.co.uk)
14 -19 Lantern Theatre Sheffield (Box office: 0114 255 1776; www.lanterntheatre.org.uk
22 -23 St Michaels Irish Centre, Liverpool (Box office: Box Office: 0151 263 1808 /www.stmichaelsirishcentre.org )
25 Barton, Assembly Rooms DN18 5QP (Box office: 01652637568/ info@champltd.org )
26 Swanland Village Hall (Box office: 01482 634863/ E mail yd@swanlandvillagehall.info)

29 Lighthouse Poole (Box office: 0844 406 8666; www.lighthouse poole.co.uk) (MOVED TO THE SPRING TOUR)
30 The Place Bedford (Box office: www.theplacebedford.org.uk; 01234718112)
DECEMBER 
1 Square Chapel Halifax (Box office: 01422349422; www.squarechapel.co.uk
2 The Hat Factory Luton (Box office: 01582 878100; http://www.lutonculture.com/hat-factory)
3 Ruskin College Oxford (Box office: 01865 759600; www.ruskin.ac.uk)

www.townsendproductions.org.uk @townsendprod 07949635910
‘A Company making a name for delivering, vivid politically committed theatre’ The Observer

★★★★★ Morning Star
★★★★ The Times
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SqGCLotudo
(See attached file: Dare Devil .jpg)