MyAV·¶

Flora, Eva, Violet, Charlie and George are unemployed, troubled, kicked out of school. Years of austerity following a banking crash they can barely remember has crushed their hopes. They join a new political movement, which – unlike political parties run by old people – will train them, pay them, empower them.ÌýLoyalty to the British Union of Fascists must be absolute; the future belongs to those who will fight for what they want.ÌýBut what if this means fighting each other?

Inspired by archive testimony of young women detained under emergency regulations during the Second World War,ÌýWe The Young StrongÌýshines a light on a troubled period of economic and political marginalisation, austerity, extremist radicalisation, street violence, and fake news.

Followed by a panel discussion with journalist (Senior economics commentator, The Guardian), 20th Century British Political History, women’s history, and British fascism expert (University of Sheffield). and East End expert and author .

Written by Nicola Baldwin (MyAV·¶ Creative Fellow) and directed by Cat Robey (Carne Deputy Director, Jermyn Street Theatre). Running time 80 minutes, followed by a short interval.

We The Young StrongÌýhas been supported by the National Theatre Studio, Peggy Ramsay Foundation, Criterion New Writing, The Lowry and developed with Manchester Jewish Museum and Working Class Movement Library.

This event is part of MyAV·¶ Performance Lab, an experimental programme of art and cutting-edge research, and , a year-long celebration to mark 100 years since the naming of MyAV·¶'s Faculty of the Built Environment.

Image: Elizabeth Twells as 'Flora' in We The Young Strong, credit Michael J. Askew