Maxine Peake will have her hands full when joining the Ewan MacColl tribute on May 10th. She's to play two of MacColl's wives for the event, Joan Littlewood and Peggy Seeger, and possibly a third, Jean Newlove, in a series of readings from their own words.
Maxine, a trustee of the Working Class Movement Library, came to the rescue when Shameless star Gerrard Kearns had to pull out of its event due to filming commitments, and has enlisted David Crellin, best known for playing Billy Hopwood in Emmerdale, to join her, Mike Joyce and John Conolly in readings and songs from Ewan MacColl's works. More of Maxine's mates might also be making guest appearances on the day.
The event, Ewan MacColl: His Life, His Words, His Music, is Salford's own tribute in the centenary year of the socialist, activist, actor, poet, songwriter and playwright, most famous for writing Salford anthem Dirty Old Town and the love anthem The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, amongst hundreds of traditional songs baring the experience of the working class. He also pioneered agitprop theatre in the UK and took part in loads of protests including the Battle of Bexley Square.
For the centenary, the Working Class Movement Library has just launched a whole mini site devoted to Ewan MacColl within its new website, which features everything from his work with Red Megaphones to the Radio Ballads, and catalogues all the artefacts the Library holds on one of Salford's most famous sons...
To see the MacColl online archive – click here
Ewan MacColl: His Life, His Words, His Music
Sunday 10th May 2pm
Salford University Peel Hall £12/£8
Tickets £12 (£8 students) are available from the University online shop - click here (NB tickets are not available from the Library).
See also previous Salford Star article on the event with quotes from Mike Joyce and John Conolly – click here
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