The Reading Miner production is the flagship theatre project of The Reading Miner Arts Community.
Inspired by the true story of Sydney Chown Quick, the production explores courage, friendship, sacrifice and the relationship between Reading and the Welsh mining communities during the Second World War.
Developed as a stage play with music, the production combines historical research with original writing, songs and community storytelling to create an emotionally engaging theatrical experience.
However, the production is intended to be far more than a single performance.
It is designed to encourage community participation through script development workshops, rehearsed readings, local performances, exhibitions, school engagement and future collaborations between theatre organisations in Reading and South Wales.
As the wider project develops, the production will continue to evolve through contributions from performers, historians, artists and members of the public whose own stories become part of the wider narrative.
The play tells Sydney’s story.
The community tells the rest.