Published: Wednesday, 19th September, 2007 10:00
Firebrand Jimmy Reid's play tribute
By Colin Hutton
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Writer Brian McGeachan with a copy of the play
THE life of legendary Bankie union leader Jimmy Reid is set to be recreated in a play.
Now 75, Jimmy was a shop steward at John Brown’s Shipyard and won praise for his 1972 Upper Clyde Shipbuilders’ (UCS) work-in.
Jimmy, along with Jimmy Airlie, organised the protest to try to convince the Government of the day that shipbuilding was a viable and worthwhile industry.
Instead of the usual strike action, they used a work-in approach whereby current orders were completed, dispelling the idea of the shipbuilders being work-shy and also illustrating the long-term viability of the yards.
And the dramatisation of his Reid’s life — written by Brian McGeachan — will even reveal Yoko Ono’s affection for Clydeside.
John Lennon sent a cheque for £5,000 attached to a wheel of roses in support of the work-in and when the widow of the Beatles superstar heard about the play, she sent a message of support which will now be included in the script.
Writer Brian, 29, told the Post: “I handed a copy of the Jimmy Reid play to [Yoko Ono’s] doorman at the Dakota building in New York, before flying back to Scotland.
“A few months later I got an e-mail from Yoko with her words of praise for the play and congratulating Jimmy on reaching his 75th birthday.
“I have since incorporated these words into the play.”
The play, Jimmy Reid: From Glasgow to Gettysburgh — which will hopefully be performed this year — tells the story of former Faifley councillor Jimmy’s life, from childhood poverty to winning comparisons with Abraham Lincoln due to his oratory skills.
Brian is currently in talks with actor John Cairney about starring as Jimmy and also with West End venue Oran Mor about staging the show.
He added: “I decided to do this play because of the global impact Jimmy had which is something that still resonates to this day.
“Hopefully this will pay some sort of tribute to a guy that had such an historic resonance in the yards.
“If through the play I can get a wider audience to listen to the story and educate people about the contribution Jimmy Reid made to his community then I’ll be happy.
“The whole point of it is that within ordinary people there are profound thoughts and visions and without doubt Jimmy Reid’s contribution has been immense.”
The importance of Jimmy’s actions will be highlighted next month.
To celebrate, the painting ‘Jimmy Reid: 75 Years’ — which was recently unveiled at the People’s Palace — Fiona Hayes, Glasgow Museums’ Social History Curator, will talk about his importance in the area’s history.
The talk will be held at the People’s Palace on October 25 at 1pm.
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