CAST: Perce Alex McLennan Mynel / Chorus Martin Grant Mr Potter / Chorus Barry Sorensen Joe Duncan Rock Docker Chris McMullan Docker Gavin Hollis Docker Mark Huxley Docker Ryan Huxley Chorus Douglas Maclean Chorus John Gould Chorus Paul Waters Kate Chrystal de Grussa Annie Besant Hillary Readings Beattie Kacey Brookes Winnie Suzie Mathers Old Min Kerry Goode Dot Debra Shilkin Polly Melissa Treby Nell Naomi Tarry Mrs Purkiss Julie Brewer Maggie Colleen Johnson Louie Tammy Woolrych Jessie Claire Nichols Paula Westerby / Chorus Sarah Gazia Chorus Candice Schilder Chorus Jill Dart Chorus Joanna Roberts Scots Girl / Chorus Catriona Coe Accompanist/Chorus Fran MacLean Makeup Rachel Lewarne

Based on fact, the story tells of a strike by the girls in a match factory in 1888, when unions were still groping for recognition and mass withdrawal of labour was an almost unheard-of strategy in industrial relations. The match-cutters finally rebel against working conditions in which young girls had their jaws rotted away by phosphorus, and discipline was maintained by a system of crippling fines and sanctions. A grim episode, perhaps, but not many minutes of the play are allowed to pass before the natural ebullience of the traditional Cockney sparrow helps to create gay, sparkling entertainment which warms the heart, yet retains the essential drama of the central theme. The incongruously named "Hope Court" is the setting for much of the play, for it is there the workers live in shabby tenements. Desperation turns Kate, the tenement girl, into a reckless strike-leader, and complicates her courtship with Joe, a docker. Annie Besant, the liberal reformer, champions the strikers' cause and plays a vital part in bringing about their ultimate victory over what was then a callous management. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Singing Principals Kate. Annie Besant Polly, a lively, cheeky matchgirl Joe  Straight Roles Jessie, a flirt and a bully  Louie, little more than a child