Review: Stand and Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-In (Tron Theatre)

A True Tale of Defiance and Denim from Greenock

For some time now, I have approached 80s and 90s period pieces with caution. Although almost always crowd-pleasing, they often lack substance, preferring to bathe in aesthetics and cultural touchstones of the time. So when I came to see Stand and Deliver, the telling of the 1981 protest at Lee Jeans written by Frances Poet, I had a question on my mind: Is this set in the 80s because that is when the story happened, or is this story on stage because it is set in the 80s?

The early signs aren’t good. It starts with a live band, comprising the multitalented ensemble cast, performing "Kids in America" by Kim Wilde, the first of several period-appropriate numbers that are, by their own admission, tenuously connected to the plot. They proceed to bicker about how to tell the story; what to say first, who ought to tell. It’s a familiar device, but it starts to suggest a lack of confidence. Then there’s the direction, from Jamima Levick. Most of the cast are young, portraying people in their teens and early twenties, and presumably in reflection of their youth, they are bouncy, showy, and relentlessly sunny. It is fun to watch such loud personalities, but none are particularly grounded. I would expect to find them backstage at a pantomime rather than checking into a factory shift.

Photo Credit: Mihaela Bodlovic

That is, except Jo Freer as shop supervisor, protest leader, and youngster-wrangler Helen. She is drawn reluctantly into the spotlight, but still portrays an inner courage that makes us root for her all the more whenever she doubts herself. In fact, once I had settled into the fizziness of the direction, I started to warm to the whole cast. Aron Dochard has such versatility, I’m unsure what his real accent is. Madeline Grieve brings so much more personality to the performance than her billing as “ensemble” would have you believe. And Chiara Sparkes is frankly magnetic as mischievous Maggie. Her incompetence is so endearing, and her arc from lousy seamstress to dauntless public speaker is a thrill.

The real draw, however, is the tale being told. Far from a vehicle to listen to Bowie and Adam and the Ants, it has been told with real love and consideration for the people behind it. Being unaware of the story, I rather guessed that they won – you don’t get many performances about failed protests. What makes it worth the journey is what is lost along the way, how perceptions change, and whether what they did meant anything in the long run. As the performance wore on, I became aware that I was sitting behind the real Lee Jeans protesters. (Knowing prods, timely tears, and quiet sing-alongs to the chants gave it away). As I watched the performance with them, moved by the struggle and the uncertainty of their movement, I felt that maybe there was a sweet-toothed nostalgia, but more than that, there was a story of resilience well worth seeing. Four stars.

Whispers from the Crowd: "Amazing, so moving. Every aspect blends together so well!"

Stand and Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-In Will Play at Tron Theatre until the 9th of May, before going on tour in Scotland