The Museum of Oxford is commemorating the 90th anniversary of three pivotal events in the city's history with a trilogy of plays.
Written by local playwright Peter Cann and directed by Tim Eyres, these performances bring to life Oxford’s working-class struggles during a turbulent year in 1934.
Cutteslowe Walls
The first play in the trilogy, The Cutteslowe Walls, recounts how a working-class community in North Oxford was separated from a nearby private estate by 9ft-high walls – which became known as “snob walls”. Built in December 1934, the walls stood for 25 years despite a long campaign to have them removed. The initial campaign to remove the walls was led by Abe Lazarus, a prominent trade unionist and communist organiser. Reginald Gibbs, a local councillor, also played a key role in these early efforts. After Reginald’s passing, his son Edmund and daughter-in-law Olive Gibbs continued the fight and the walls were finally demolished in 1959.
The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Cllr Mike Rowley, will attend the premiere of The Cutteslowe Walls on 2 November.
"I am honoured to be part of this commemoration. The Cutteslowe Walls symbolised a time of division in our city’s history, but the efforts of campaigners like Abe Lazarus and the Gibbs family remind us of the power of community and perseverance in fighting for fairness. This trilogy of plays allows us to reflect on these important struggles, while celebrating the spirit of unity that ultimately brought the walls down."
The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Mike Rowley
Oxford's Inferno
The second play, Oxford’s Inferno, recounts the 1934 strike at the Pressed Steel factory in Cowley, which produced car bodies for the Morris car works. Workers walked out in protest against poor pay and harsh working conditions. The strike, initially involving 100 workers, soon grew to 1,000, led to the formation of a strong union that left a lasting impact on Oxford and beyond.
Little Edens
The final part of the trilogy, Little Edens, will be performed on December 7. Returning after a successful staging at the museum last year, the play focuses on the Florence Park Rent Strike. In September 1934, tenants of the newly built Florence Park estate began withholding rent in protest at poor living conditions. The homes, built by unskilled labourers, quickly deteriorated, prompting residents— many of whom had relocated from areas hit hard by the Great Depression, such as South Wales and Tyneside — to take action. After months of complaints, the residents embarked on a bitter rent strike, facing the threat of eviction. The strike highlighted the difficult conditions faced by many working-class families in Oxford.
The trilogy performances are as follows:
- Oxford's Inferno and The Cutteslowe Walls: Saturday, 2 November at 2.30pm and 5.30pm (all sold out)
- Little Edens: Saturday 7 December at 2.30pm and 5.30pm
Tickets for the December performances are available from the Museum of Oxford shop or through Eventbrite.
Comment
"These stories show how working-class communities in Oxford shaped the city’s identity and contributed to wider social change. From fighting unfair working conditions to standing up against poor housing, the events portrayed in these plays demonstrate the resilience and solidarity of Oxford’s people. It’s great that these powerful stories can be shared with audiences at the Museum of Oxford."
Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and an Inclusive Economy
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