The Match Girls 1966
The Match Girls
LEATHERHEAD THEATRE 1965 / Globe Theatre (Gielgud theatre), London 1966
The Match Girls is a musical by Bill Owen and Tony Russell about the London matchgirls’ successful strike of 1888, which centred on industrial action by women and teenage girls working at the Bryant & May match factory in Bow in East London. Matchmaking at that time involved dipping the sticks into a mixture containing white phosphorous, a substance which, with over-exposure, would lead to severe health issues, notably necrosis of the jaw - phossy jaw - causing headaches initially, and then to loss of teeth and to mortality.
Hazel Vincent Wallis (Theatre Director) with Tony Russell and Bill Owen, creators of The Match Girls, and Gillian Lynne at Leatherhead Theatre
Programme cover
Following the strike, the Union of Women Matchmakers was formed and became the largest union of women in the country, inspiring many other industrial groups to campaign for better conditions and pay. The Matchgirls’ fearless action in June 1888 was like a spark to a tinder box. They had been working under appalling conditions and subjected to fines and illegal stoppages from their wages, which in some cases were under five shillings per week. Soon thereafter, the gas workers, the tram workers and finally the dockers went on strike. It seemed as though these men had drawn courage and inspiration from these East End girls, who had decided to take their lives in their own hands. It was during these times that the famous Annie Besant went to see the Matchgirls to get some facts for an article she was writing for the Fabian paper The Link. Mrs Besant was so touched by their plight that she decided to help them. She inspired the girls to take the action which ultimately led to victory and better working conditions.
The musical focuses on Kate, a match girl and her attempts to firstly rally the girls, then becoming a strike leader and eventually helping to create the new union.
The Match Girls was first performed in November 1965 in Leatherhead before going on to the Globe Theatre in March of 1966.
Cast included: Vivienne Martin, Gerard Hely, Marion Grimaldi, Judith Paris, Julia Sutton, Prunella Ransome, Lesley Judd, Kim Grant, Norman Warwick, Louanne Richards, Jane Kells, Ray Davis, Jan Colet
Book & Lyrics: Bill Owen - later known for ‘Compo’ in BBC TV’s ‘Last of the Summer Wine’
Music: Tony Russell
Director & Choreographer: Gillian Lynne
