A fundraising performance of We Will Be Free – a play about the Tolpuddle Martyrs – is coming to Dorchester in March .
Fresh from a UK-wide tour, We Will Be Free will be performed atDorchester Corn Exchangeon Saturday 1 March 2014 at 8pm.
The play tells the story of tells the story of Methodist preacher George Loveless, his wife Betsy and the farm labourers who became known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs.
They were convicted and transported for swearing a secret oath and forming a trade union in 1834 to fight against wage cuts inflicted by the local landowner.
Proceeds from ticket sales for the performance will go towards a project led byWest Dorset District Councilto redevelop Dorchester’s Shire Hall, the scene of the Martyrs’ infamous trial.
The story of their determination, solidarity and courage is performed by Neil Gore and Charlotte Powellwith music arranged by folk singer and squeezebox player John Kirkpatrick.
Leader of West Dorset District Council, Robert Gould said: “We Will Be Free brings the story of what actually happened at Shire Hall to life and I would urge anyone with an interest in the history of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and supporters of the Shire Hall project to come along to see the show.
“Proceeds from the ticket sales will help fund a programme of events at Shire Hall this summer.”
The performance starts at8pmand just a few doors up the road Shire Hall’s old Crown Court and Cells will also be open to visitors from 6.30pm.
The Corn Exchange doors and bar open from 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £10 (£8 for Dorchester Arts members and concessions) and are available from Dorchester Arts.
We Will Be Free, presented by Townsend Productions, has toured the UK since summer 2013, including dates at the Edinburgh Festival where it received rave reviews.
Scenes from the play were performed at Shire Hall in the courtroom during a special Heritage Open Day in September 2013.
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Notes to editors
For more information about this event, including how to book tickets, contact Dorchester Arts on 01305 266926 or go to www.dorchesterarts.org.uk
Shire Hall, which includes the Old Crown Court and Cells, is famous for the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs in 1834. Time has stood still at the court, which appears today almost as it did in Georgian times.
West Dorset District Council is leading a project to see Shire Hall developed into a major heritage attraction and has been granted initial funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to help get the project off the ground.
The total cost of developing the Shire Hall into a heritage attraction is estimated at £2.5 million.
Initial development funding from the HLF and West Dorset District Council means detailed design and project planning work can continue over the coming year.
A final (round two) bid for £1.1 million will be made to the HLF in Summer 2014. Should the bid be successful West Dorset District Council has pledged to match fund this amount to help make the project a reality.
For more information about the project to develop Dorchester’s Shire Hall into a high quality heritage attraction and visitor centre, sign up to receive e-newsletter updates about the project at www.dorsetforyou.com/e-news, go to www.dorsetforyou.com/shirehallproject or follow the project team on Twitter @ShireHallDorch
For more information about this press release contact 01305 252451.
