Joan, Babs and Shelagh To

Conscious Theatre presents a whirlwind journey through the life of Joan Littlewood, the unsung hero(ine) of British theatre. Unquestionably brilliant, undoubtedly maverick and undeniably rude, Littlewood was passionate about political theatre, improvisation and the use of working-class language in theatre.

Joan, Babs & Shelagh Too chronicles the life of a fascinating character far ahead of her time. It tells Joan’s story in her own words and in those of her collaborators, including Barbara Windsor and Shelagh Delaney. Written and performed by Gemskii, the show will take you on a journey through the rapidly changing theatrical landscape of twentieth century Britain, from Littlewood’s childhood in post-Second World War London, passing through Manchester where she formed her political ideology, to the explosion of Theatre Workshop’s success at Stratford East’s Theatre Royal in the ‘50s and ‘60s, before she disappeared to Nigeria to work with Wole Soyinka.