| Description | The 'Peoples March for Jobs' campaign developed in the early 1980s, as the economic and social consequences of recession emerged. Designed to capitalise on the emotional connotations of the 1930s hunger marches, this Thatcher era equivalent sought to raise awareness of the impact on individuals and communities of mass unemployment. Commencing in 1981, a series of long distance marches were scheduled so that they converged together in London for mass rallies. Detailed planning was required to support this concept and national organisers were supported by local committees in providing reception, welfare and accomodation services for marchers. This also provided opportunities to campaign on a range of issues including racism and civil rights as well as conventional un/employmnet matters.
Banner Theatre and Jubilee Arts developed a piece of street theatre to be played to audiences along the route of march. Through the framework of an outside broadcast by a fictitious company (People's Television Service), passers-by were interviewed about unemployment. A continuous instant video replay provided the performance aspects of the show.
The nature of the 'Peoples March' campaign altered over time. Whilst a Peoples March did occur in 1983, there was also a change in campaigning on unemployment issues, with the TUC and Labour Party hierarchy beginning to focus on specific aspects of the causes and consequences of mass unemployment. To some extent, this change in approach was mirrored by Banner, who developed a more conventional stage production called 'the Unmployment Show' [see MS1611/B/18].
Cataloguer's Note: All research and administrative records concerning the 'Peoples March for Jobs' will be listed under this catalogue reference, even where the date range links across to the Unemployment Show. This is to reflect the difference in performance emphasis. |