Newcastle theatre celebrates the story of South Tyneside hero
Red Ellen - about the life of MP Ellen Wilkinson - is the latest play at Northern Stage, celebrating the history of the North East
Last updated 4th Apr 2022
The wild life of a Tyneside hero is being brought to life on stage - in celebration of her work and activism
Red Ellen, which is on at Northern Stage, tells the story of Ellen Wilkinson - the Labour MP for Jarrow during the 1930s and 40s
She is well known as one of the leaders of the Jarrow March, but the play reveals her legacy goes much further than people know - having affairs with Communist spies, crashing her car into ditches and bringing in free school milk and free school meals in her role as Education Secretary.
Written by award winning poet and playwright Caroline Bird, Caroline tells us how delighted she is to see Ellen's story onstage:
“Ellen was a complex person by anyone’s standards and she never stopped, but despite her herculean efforts, she is largely forgotten by history.
"The irony, of course, about ‘forgotten women of history’ is invariably the facts of their lives turn out to be acutely memorable:
"They’re not forgotten because they’re forgettable.
"I’ve been living with Ellen Wilkinson in my head for about six years now and I can honestly say, after writing this play, Ellen has done the impossible:
"She has given me back a glimmer of faith in politics.
"We need politicians like Ellen... and we also need to look after them, and support them.
"She failed at so many things, and yet she was a total, stonking, miraculous, life-affirming, bloody wonderful triumph. A bright and particular star.
"I hope that some of Ellen’s light can still reach us all the way down here, and that this play might reignite a spark or two.”
Caroline tells us she's happy to see the play shown at Northern Stage theatre, as well as touring in Edinburgh and Nottingham, saying it's a play which needs to march, celebrating the excellent theatre outside of London in particular.
You can find out more about Red Ellen, and when it's on at Northern Stage theatre via the website.