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Pottery Workers' "Curl Friday" Protest Comes to Stage
22 Mar
Summary
- A play based on a true story of 1970s female pottery workers debuts.
- The production highlights a peaceful protest against a manager banning "Curl Friday".
- Oscar-winning writer Rachel Shenton adapted the story from her podcast.
A new play, "Gladstone Girls," based on a true event, will premiere at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, in February 2026. Written by Oscar winner Rachel Shenton, the production tells the story of female pottery workers in the 1970s. They held a peaceful protest when their manager banned "Curl Friday," a beloved weekly tradition where they transformed their workspace into a salon before nights out.
Shenton, who was born in Stoke-on-Trent, described the play as a heartwarming period drama set in the lithography room of Gladstone Pottery Museum. The story emphasizes "community and togetherness" and the workers' efforts to protect a tradition important to them. The protest eventually "spreads far beyond the factory walls."
Rehearsals for "Gladstone Girls" are scheduled to begin in January 2026, with performances commencing on February 6. Shenton expressed excitement and nervousness about the play's debut at the New Vic, calling it a "perfect home" for the local story. She highlighted the importance of celebrating and telling local narratives in regional theatres.
