chopped liver & unions

 Blue Fire Theatre Company tell the story of Sara Wesker, an early twentieth century union activist, and more of a “bloody difficult woman” than Theresa May could ever aspire to be. She takes us through her experiences leading strikes in the clothing and fabric workshops of the East End, demanding equal rights and equal pay for women doing the same work as men. Her nephew Arnold Wesker was the famous playwright and Sarah Kahn in his play Chicken Soup with Barley is based on his aunt. 

J J Leppink’s play is beautifully written and structured, and features a fine performance from Lottie Walker as Sarah. Stirring stuff, and thoroughly entertainingly presented. It makes you want to find out more about what Sara Wesker achieved – and also to re-read The Wesker Trilogy to see a fictionalised version. 

Electrically exciting – and it keeps alive a story that should never be forgotten. 

5 stars

 Chopped Liver and Unions is the little known story of Sarah Wesker from the East End of London. A trade Unionist activist in the 1920s-30s who worked in the garment industry and fought for the rights of working women. Demanding equal pay and fairer working conditions, some might say things still aren’t equal in some industries in 2023.

Lottie Walker in the role of Wesker brings her story to life as she steps up from behind the typewriter to describe her part in the strikes and her role in other’s lives, especially Mike Mindel a Union Leader. Wesker explains that he discovered his voice as their relationship evolved, “I wonder why” she asks. Then without warning, he married another and it was all over between the couple.

Walker’s performance commands the stage. The bold and forthright delivery is indicative of the Union leader’s character as Wesker explains how and why the strikes were called. What they had hoped to achieve and what happened next?

Walker’s performance is accompanied by James Hall on the keyboard to bring the musical Union chants to life. 

Although by this time some women had the vote, it was those over 30 who had their own homes and probably wouldn’t vote against the men standing as an MP as these appalling working conditions would never have affected them.

Stories of the women who stood up against those in power are important parts of our history. They deserve a platform to be remembered from and to understand that feminism and equality aren’t a recent battlefield, women have been fighting inequality for over one hundred years and will continue to do so.

4 stars

 It did what we hoped it would, educate, entertain and inform but it also paid tribute to the dedicated and steadfast women who demanded change.

The world is changed by the women you pushed too far.

One of those “difficult” women was Sara Wesker played by Lottie Walker. In many ways, Lottie’s performance was a humble, self-effacing and matter of fact one but that was no less effective. Lottie inhabited the person and gave a real sense of the history and culture. 

Wesker spoke Yiddish as well as English, meaning she could communicate well with older, factory workers – who were almost always female – and persuade them to take part in strikes or join her unions.

This was so well researched and presented and with references to Cable Street and Matchstick Girls was a real education for us all. 

4 stars