Medhavi proud to be playing an Asian lion who bit back

Yorkshire miners were among thousands of trade unionists who joined mass pickets to support the strike at the Grunwick film processing factory in West London.

In the two-handed play from Townsend Theatre Productions, Medhavi Patel plays the strike leader, fighting an exploitative boss.

She said: “The play’s about the strike which was led by a courageous and strong woman, Jayaben Desai.

“The strike lasted for two years and although it wasn’t won it still created ripples about unionisation and about rights for workers.

“It brought people from different workplaces together which was one of the biggest successes of this strike – miners, building workers, postal workers – people who were rallying for immigrants not to be in the country not many years ahead realised we’re all struggling.”

The story is told from the point of view of Mrs Desai, something Medhavi said is long overdue.

“I’m very proud to be playing a strong Asian woman.

“A lot of the time when we see Asian women depicted in the media or in the theatre, we’re often seen as submissive and victims who can’t fight for ourselves.

“This show is completely different and she is somebody who is not content to sit back. She wants to fight for something she thought was worth fighting for.”

She added: “When I got this part I didn’t know much about this story. I didn’t even know she was a distant relative of mine!

“You can’t tell people in my family about an audition unless you get a recall. My mum was saying, ‘What’s it about? What’s her name?’

“She said, ‘You know whose mother-in-law that is?’ Everybody failed to tell me about this. It’s crazy.

“Even the older generation are seeing the relevance of the struggle. Everyone had to get their head down and work then.

“We’re now in a time when we need to focus on those fights. We’re regressing in so many ways. “

Medhavi argues the show is relevant in the present times of fixed hours contracts and the ‘gig economy’ as it shows that even workers in precarious situations can fight back.

“It’s inspiring seeing the audience members coming up to you at the end of the show with tears in their eyes. It’s really touching.

“Every time I cry on stage I’m crying because I feel that emotion, fighting for something so long and suddenly feeling you’re alone in this situation. All the doors are closed around you.

“You can really relate to her struggle at that point and for every Asian who has gone through struggles in this society.

“We have to go through these struggles that are still ongoing.”

Locally, the show is touring to the Lantern Theatre, Sheffield on February 27 to March 3, Cast in Doncaster on March 14, Wortley Hall, Barnsley on March 21 and The Civic, Barnsley on April 12.