Touch and Go

Synopsis

Midlands, 1919. A world gripped by industrial turmoil, where the silent desperation of miners meets the unyielding force of capitalist power

Gerald Barlow, caught between his father’s staunch capitalistic views and his own sympathy for the miners, finds himself at the heart of a burgeoning conflict. The fiery Willie Houghton rallies the colliers, demanding not just fair wages but recognition of their humanity, while Job Arthur Freer and Oliver Turton represent the militant and moderate factions of the labor movement.

As tensions escalate, personal and political lines blur. The Barlow family, including the compassionate Mrs. Barlow and the conflicted Winifred Barlow, are pulled into the fray. The village becomes a battleground, not just for economic justice but for the soul of a community on the brink of upheaval.

Lawrence’s poignant dialogue and the play’s stark realism capture the visceral urgency of post-war Britain. Through the lens of this microcosm, Touch and Go explores themes of social justice, the clash between old and new societal values, and the sacrifices demanded in the struggle for a better future. The play asks: in the fight for fairness and dignity, what price must individuals and communities pay?