Five Days of Freedom

Background

The third decade of the nineteenth century witnessed the first revolution of the working class in Britain. The Charter was launched in 1837 and was enthusiastically received by workers everywhere. The hopes and aspirations of the proletariat were crystallized in the terms of the charter. When it is considered that the entire population of Britain was 16 million, it is notable that over 3 million men signed the Charter. The Charter was certainly revolutionary in its aims: a vote for every man, through a secret ballot without property qualification. These revolutionary acts proved an inspiration, in times to come, for the likes of Marx and Engels. The six aims of the Charter were presented before Parliament in London but each one was rejected. Following this rejection the leaders came together to decide on a strategy for the movement. However, they failed to provide clear leadership to the workers and no committed tactical action was displayed by the movement. It was only in Wales that direct action occurred, in Llanidloes and Newport (Gwent) in 1839.In Llanidloes the Chartist movement was very popular amongst the workers. Several meetings were held there, attended by large crowds. Following one of these meetings three of the Chartist leaders were arrested by policemen imported from London. The three were taken to the Trewythen Hotel in Great Oak Street. The crowd responded instinctively by attacking the hotel and freeing the three men. One of the policemen was badly wounded in the skirmish and much damage was done to the hotel.T. E. Marsh, ex-mayor of the town, was a key figure in the events. It was he whoasked for assistance from the military to confront the Chartists. The Chartistssucceeded in holding the town for five days but, on hearing that the soldiers were on their way, the leaders of the movement fled. Most of them were caught and were sentenced at Welshpool - James Morris to 15 years transportation, John Ingram, Abraham Owen and Lewis Humphreys to 7 years transportation, while others were imprisoned at Montgomery Gaol.

The confrontation in Llanidloes was a failure because of the might of capitalism. The working class was too immature tactically, and too ambiguous in their political philosophy. Seeds nevertheless were sown and the fruits of the sacrifice were seen a generation later. Only Five Days of Freedom were experienced in Llanidloes, but the yearning for freedom was left in the hearts of the people for ever.

Pum Diwrnod o Ryddid was first performed by Cwmni Theatr Maldwyn at Theatr Hafren during the National Urdd Eisteddfod at Newtown, Montgomeryshire in 1988. Penri Roberts

Act 1
SCENE 1 The Workers’ Song  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
               Let us give thanks  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
SCENE 2 My dream  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SCENE 3 Come on in  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59                                      SCENE 4 Closing in on me  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
SCENE 5 Nine o’clock  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
SCENE 6 The night is nigh  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
SCENE 7 The pike and gun  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
SCENE 8 Let us give thanks 2  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
SCENE 9 Light of our freedom  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Act 2
SCENE 10 Light of our freedom 2  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
SCENE 11 No, no . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
SCENE 12 Have you ever wondered? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
SCENE 13 The arrest and calling the people  . . . . . . . . . 222
SCENE 14 My dream 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
SCENE 15 The world has gone to hell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
SCENE 16 So this is the night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
SCENE 17 In the future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
SCENE 18 These bare walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260