Plays to mark 90 years since historic Oxford events

The Museum of Oxford has commissioned the performances, written by local playwright Peter Cann and directed by Tim Eyres, to shed light on the city's working-class struggles during the turbulent year of 1934.

The first play, The Cutteslowe Walls, tells how a working-class community in north Oxford was separated from a nearby private estate by 9ft-high "snob walls".

These walls, built in December 1934, stood for 25 years, despite a campaign led by trade unionist and communist organiser Abe Lazarus and local councillor Reginald Gibbs to have them removed.

Mr Gibbs' son, Edmund, and daughter-in-law, Olive Gibbs, continued the fight after his death, leading to the walls' demolition in 1959.

The Lord Mayor of Oxford, councillor Mike Rowley, will be at The Cutteslowe Walls' premiere on November 2.

Councillor Mike Rowley (Image: Oxfordshire County Council) He said: "I am honoured to be part of this commemoration.

"The Cutteslowe Walls symbolised a time of division in our city’s history, but the efforts of campaigners like Abe Lazarus and the Gibbs family remind us of the power of community and perseverance in fighting for fairness.

"This trilogy of plays allows us to reflect on these important struggles, while celebrating the spirit of unity that ultimately brought the walls down."

The second play, Oxford’s Inferno, recounts the 1934 strike at the Pressed Steel factory in Cowley, where workers protested poor pay and harsh conditions.

The strike, initially involving 100 workers, soon grew to 1,000 and led to the formation of a strong union that had a lasting impact on Oxford and beyond.

The final part of the trilogy, Little Edens, focuses on the Florence Park Rent Strike, and will be performed on December 7.

Returning after a successful staging at the museum last year, the play highlights the difficult conditions faced by many working-class families in Oxford.

In September 1934, tenants of the newly built Florence Park estate began withholding rent in protest at poor living conditions.

The homes, built by unskilled labourers, quickly deteriorated, prompting residents to take action.

After months of complaints, the residents embarked on a rent strike, facing the threat of eviction.

Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, cabinet member for business, culture and an inclusive economy, said: "These stories show how working-class communities in Oxford shaped the city’s identity and contributed to wider social change.

"From fighting unfair working conditions to standing up against poor housing, the events portrayed in these plays demonstrate the resilience and solidarity of Oxford’s people.

"It’s great that these powerful stories can be shared with audiences at the Museum of Oxford."