By Stephen Roffe
Neil Gore’s new play, tells the true story of two unlikely friends who volunteered to join the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War. The play was commissioned by the International Brigades Memorial Trust and has been developed by Townsend Productions at the Place Theatre in Bedford.
Daredevil Rides to Jarama is a wonderfully engaging two-man show that perfectly captures the idealism of those opposed to fascism with stirring songs, and despite the gravitas of the subject matter, no little fun and humour. I came away feeling inspired by the courage and self-sacrifice of the International Brigades and a renewed interest in their role during the Spanish Civil War. I’ve begun re-reading For Whom the Bell Tolls in direct response to the play.
Clem Beckett (played wonderfully by David Heywood – all the other characters are brought to life by Gore) was born in Oldham in 1906 and rode the wall of death at fairgrounds, earning the nickname “Dare Devil Beckett”. He was also a speedway rider and we learn that he unionised the sport and formed Sheffield Tigers in 1929. The staging of the wall of death was particularly successful, but some of the lighting demands on Neil Gore detracted a little from the fascinating story.
Upon the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War the Communist Party of Great Britain helped establish International Brigades. Clem Beckett volunteered to go to Spain to defend the Popular Front government with Christopher “Spriggy” Caudwell. As an aeronautical engineer and part-time poet he made an unlikely friend.
Clem and Chris were sent to Jarama Valley in 1937 where they lost their lives covering their battalion’s retreat.
This breadth of history that the play covers is incredible and it highlights the importance of the Spanish Civil War as the focus of the struggle of the international labour movement. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it will appeal to anyone with an interest in politics, the trade union movement and the rise of fascism in the inter-war period. Another Townsend triumph!
