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A play that celebrates the rich history of women’s football is coming to Preston.
The Invincibles tells the story of Sterling Ladies FC, a team made up of factory workers from Dagenham who went unbeaten between 1917 and 1919.
The women contributed to the World War I efforts by doing 12-hour shifts in factories, and then laced up their boots to play before massive crowds bringing respite to a nation clouded by the fog of war.
The Invincibles played 36 matches, won 34 and drew two during two full seasons – scoring 201 goals and conceding just 14. But the Dagenham factory team had to hang up their boots in 1919
when men’s football resumed.
The drama tells the forgotten story of these wartime women workers alongside that of the England Lionesses, who followed up their Euro 2022 triumph by reaching the final of the 2023 World Cup.
In Preston, their story echoes very loudly with that of our own Dick, Kerr Ladies, who are referenced in the play.
The team’s triumphs might have faded into history but the play – written by Amanda Whittington and performed by The Broughton Players – mixes historical and contemporary issues bringing them to life.
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A spokesperson for The Broughton Players said: “The talented 14 strong cast have worked incredibly hard on this fascinating play that involves wartime and contemporary music and movement.
“How do you portray a football match on stage? Why not come along and find out!”
The Invincibles is on at Preston Playhouse in Market Street West from Wednesday 12 to Saturday 15 February.
Priced at £12 for adults and £11 for concessions, tickets are available from TicketSource.
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This story was made possible by you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, you can submit it for our event listings and/or send details to [email protected] for us to cover it as a story on the Blog.
