Northern Ireland performances boost for Cramlington Train Wreckers play

The Cramlington Train Wreckers, which premiered in November 2024 and sold-out nine venues across the region, is playing Derry Playhouse on Wednesday, July 8, and Waterfront Hall, Belfast, on Thursday, July 9, before transferring to Newcastle Theatre Royal on Sunday, July 12.

Playwright Ed Waugh was invited to talk about the play at both of the Irish venues last week and he was delighted that dozens of people came along.

Ed, whose previous hit shows include Carrying David, Wor Bella and Hadaway Harry, added: “The Cramlington Train Wreckers is about working class unity in the face of adversity. In 1926, Britain’s 1.2million miners were told to take a 40 per cent wage cut and work longer hours “in the national interest”.

“They refused and Britain’s only General Strike followed. It was the biggest rupture in society since the Civil Wars of the 1640s and was sold out by the TUC leaders after only nine days.

“A carnival of reaction followed as the bosses took revenge on striking trade unionists. Many never worked again and some has to emigrate to gain employment, splitting up families.

“Given the shocking events that took place in Belfast recently, the play is totally apposite to today’s situation.

“Every one of the attendees for my talks was enthused to take word back into their communities and build for the Northern Ireland shows.”

The Cramlington Train Wreckers is the story of eight Northumberland miners who were imprisoned for 48 years for accidently derailing the famous Flying Scotsman at Cramlington on May 10, 1926.

No-one died and only one person was slightly injured in the notorious incident that caused headlines nationally and internationally.

The two shows at Newcastle Theatre Royal will be at 3pm and 7.30pm on Sunday, July 12. There is limited ticket availability for both shows.

For tickets and more information, go to www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/cramlington-train-wreckers