Scum: Death, Destruction and Dirty Washing

1976 - 1977 & 1978

A musical celebration of the women of the Paris Commune of 1871. For two months Paris celebrated the festival of the oppressed. The sun shone as the scum of the earth sang and danced in the streets. In the forefront of this revolution marched the Parisian women, demanding everything from crèches to guns and defending the barricades to the last. Set in a Parisian laundry the play brings all this to vibrant life, with laughter and heart-wrenching songs amid the steam and grime.

Written by Claire Luckham, Chris Bond and the company

Cast

Roger Allam: Marcel
Chris Bowler: Lucie
Helen Glavin**: Josephine
Gillian Hanna: Mole
Alan Hulse*: Emile
Mary McCusker: Madame Masson
Susan Todd*: Eugenie

*From Oct 1976, Ian Blower** replaced Alan Hulse and Linda Broughton replaced Susan Todd. **From May 1978, Ann Mitchell replaced Helen Glavin and Clive Russell replaced Ian Blower.

Production Team

Susan Todd**: Director
Andrea Montag: Designer
Helen Glavin*: Music
Hilary Lewis: Costumes
Chris Montag: Graphics
d. Wilson**: Technician/Company Manager
David Bradford**: Administration

* Composer and (what would now be termed) Musical Director. ** From Oct 1976, Sue Beardon replaced David Bradford; from Jan 1977, Meri Jenkins replaced d. Wilson; from May 1978 Ann Mitchell replaced Susan Todd.

Places and dates

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff: 06/05/1976
Crucible Studio, Sheffield: 11/05/1976
Institute of Contemporary Arts, London: 18/05/1976
Garnet College, London: 08/06/1976
Vauxhall Centre, Liverpool: 14/06/1976
I. M. Marsh College, Liverpool: 16/06/1976
St Luke's College, Exeter: 19/06/1976
Arts Workshop, Bath: 21/06/1976
Old Gaol Leisure Centre, Abingdon: 22/06/1976 - 23/06/1976
West End Centre, Aldershot: 24/06/1976
Portsmouth Polytechnic: 25/06/1976
Portsmouth Community Hall
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh: 29/06/1976 - 04/07/1976
Mastrick Community Centre, Aberdeen: 06/07/1976
St Katherine's, City Centre, Aberdeen: 07/07/1976
Swarthmore College, Leeds
Communist University of London
Goole Grammar School, ?Lincolnshire: 18/10/1976
Whitgift Theatre, Grimsby: 19/10/1976
Bishop Grosseteste College, Lincoln: 20/10/1976
St Peter's Guildhall, Grantham: 21/10/1976
Essex University, Colchester: 22/10/1976
Gulbenkian Theatre, Newcastle University: 26/10/1976 - 30/10/1976
Bristol Arts Centre: 08/11/1976
St Luke's College, Exeter: 10/11/1976
Plymouth Arts Centre: 12/11/1976 - 13/11/1976
York Arts Centre: 18/11/1976 - 20/11/1976
Matlock College of Education: 29/11/1976 - 30/11/1976
Studio Theatre, Warwick University: 01/12/1976 - 04/12/1976
Fulham Town Hall: 23/01/1977
Drill Hall, London: 25/01/1977 - 29/01/1977
Gardner Arts Centre, Brighton: 08/02/1977 - 09/02/1977
Gardner Arts Centre, Brighton: 12/02/1977
South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell: 17/02/1977 - 18/02/1977
Burslem Leisure Centre, North Staffs: 22/02/1977
Newcastle under Lyme College of Education: 23/02/1977
Guildhall, Staffordhire: 24/02/1977
Madely College of Education: 25/02/1977
Aston Centre for Arts, Birmingham: 10/03/1977 - 12/03/1977
Jackson's Lane, London: 11/05/1978 - 13/05/1978
Oval House, London: 17/05/1978 - 21/05/1978
Library Theatre, Manchester: 25/05/1978 - 27/05/1978
South Suffolk Drama Centre, Ipswich: 30/05/1978 - 31/05/1978

*From October 1976, Susan Todd was replaced by Linda Broughton, Alan Hulse by Ian Blower, and David Bradford by Sue Beardon. **From January 1977, Meri Jenkins took over from d Wilson as Company Manager/Technician. ***In May 1978 the show was re-directed by Ann Mitchell; Ian Blower was replaced by Clive Russell and Helen Glavin by Ann Mitchell.

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‘No dull agitprop stereotypes here, but human beings fighting, celebrating, touching the stars. Each scene is a beautifully constructed cameo in its own right and the whole is very funny, conscientiously researched and with superb music to boot. This vivid production is political theatre at its very best.’
Rosalind Asquith Time Out May 1976.