I count down to the inaugural Shelagh Delaney Day on the 25th November and write this confident that the wrongs of the past will now be put right.
The way in which Shelagh Delaney was treated by those in charge of the council at the height of her fame is well documented. The sneering, in addition to the personal and public slamming and dilution of her talent, is something that still makes me very angry.
The demonisation of Delaney by Alderman Hamburger and his peers (mainly the Salford City Reporter) is unfortunately a sign of the times when women were expected to stay in the kitchen and keep their aspirations to themselves. The cruel persecution is well documented in both John Harding's excellent study of her work Sweetly Sings Delaney, and wonderfully quoted in Shelagh's book of short stories Sweetly Sings The Donkey.
Previous calls for the council leaders of 2014 to apologise publicly for such treatment is in parts valid, but personally I believe that by supporting and granting my idea of a dedicated and annual day in honour of our homegrown playwright and author, is in itself a very public and positive apology.
I have no political persuasion, no reason to have done this other than a sense of injustice. Shelagh Delaney should never be forgotten, her work is incredible, humorous, fresh, genius, it is timeless and as relevant now as it was when she first decided to write the most produced female play of all time, A Taste Of Honey.
I want the people of this city to know that 'A Taste was Shelagh's debut work, not her only work. I have explored every aspect of her work and not only has it made me feel an increased sense of protection of her work but also given me the drive to make sure every Shelagh Delaney Day is an event you won't want to miss.
My thanks must go to those who have worked tirelessly to put together a calendar of events showcasing Shelagh Delaney's work whether from her vast and lengthy catalogue of work. I have personally been out to deliver two talks about her life and legacy, one to an assembly of primary school children and secondly to a group of year nine English pupils.
It hasn't all been sweetness and light, with virtually no funding, relying instead on the voluntary services of those documented below*. I have found it incredible that many still don't appreciate what a brilliant mind she was, instead preferring to fawn over an artist who A) wasn't a Salfordian and B) was given a far easier rise to fame simply because he was male.
We already have The Lowry Theatre, The Robert Powell Theatre, and no doubt in the future The Christopher Eccleston Theatre. When will we have The Shelagh Delaney Theatre? Or perhaps a Shelagh Delaney Literature School? The possibilities are endless.
Shelagh Delaney Day this year and every year will ensure people, particularly English teachers teaching in this city, not only know who Shelagh Delaney is, but will also strive to make sure every Salford student feels that they too can achieve just what the girl from Duchy Road did.
With Thanks
Louise Woodward Styles
Charlotte Delaney/Family; Kate Marlow; Salford Lads Club; Amber Sanchez; JB Barrington; Mike Craig; Roni Ellis and Scott T Berry; Sue Hill; Emma Foster; Cathy Crabb; Sarah Jane Dobbs; Samantha Ellis; ECCHO; Gordon Soames and Stuart Stevens; Salix Homes (Hayley, James, and Sue Sutton); Pendleton is Present; John Harding; Neil Bell; The Lion in Love Cast and Crew; Salford University.
Shelagh Delaney Day is on 25th November for more details click here
Salford Star preview to follow...
See also previous related Salford Star articles...
The Lion In Love Gets Its First Staging Since 1963 click here
Salford Mayor and Council Should Apologise To Shelagh Delaney click here
Nigel Pivaro Tribute To Shelagh Delaney - click here
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