Six plays about suffragettes

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33934, 29 August 1975, Page 4

Six plays about suffragettes

“Shoulder to Shoulder," a series of six ■ self- ; contained plays telling of the struggle for women’s ! rights in England before ! World War I, begins from TVI on Sunday at 9.35 p.m. The first episode is entitled., “The Pankhurst Family,” and; covers the period from 1898’ to 1903. The family consists of Dr; Pankhurst (Michael Gough),; who is a lawyer active in political life as a member and; candidate for the Inde-j

pendent Labour Party. He is a leader of the suffrage movement. having drafted the first suffrage Bill in 1890. His wife. Emmeline, is played by Sian Phillips and daughter Christabel by Pat-1 ricia Quinn. Angela Down.; who was recently on TVI as Princess Maria Bolkonskaya I in “War and Pece.” plays the other daughter Sylvia. Adela; and Harry are the two youngsters of the family, j The episode opens with Dr Pankhurst standing un- s successfully as an I.L.P. can-1 didate in the Gorton by-; election. Mrs Pankhurst and

Christabel are leaving for Geneva where Christabel is to stay with a childhood friend of Mrs Pankhurst. She is to learn French and extend her education. Sylvia remains at home with her sister Adela, brother Harry and the family retainer. Ellen the maid. The play studies the emergence of Mrs Pankhurst! and her two elder daughters.; Christobel and Sylvia, into; the forefront of the struggle for women’s suffrage. And

i finally the Women’s Social ;and Political Union —a party i committed totally to the struggle for the vote and owing allegiance to no 'political party—is formed, ■ mostly with women who are ! members of the Independent ; Labour Party. The motto: “Deeds Not 'Words” fills the atmosphere 'with a new energy and dynamism.