‘It brought it all back’: Lee Jeans sit-in women see their fight retold on stage

A defining chapter in Scotland’s workers’ history is being brought to life on stage for the first time.

Stand & Deliver, produced by the National Theatre of Scotland, premieres at the Tron Theatre this week, telling the story of the seven‑month occupation of the Lee Jeans plant in Greenock that became a landmark moment of women‑led industrial action.

It has been more than four decades since 240 textile workers, led by shop steward Helen Monaghan, barricaded themselves inside the factory after learning their American owners planned to move production elsewhere.

Now, those same women are watching their experiences – and themselves – portrayed on stage.

Former employee Maggie Wallace described seeing the rehearsal as “like stepping back in time”.

Five of the women who staged the sit-in STV News

“They had it down to a T. It was fantastic,” she told STV News.

“The actress playing me came towards me and instantly I thought, that has got to be me. We had this instant bond. It’s lovely. It’s like a mini‑me. They were all good.”

Another former worker, Catherine Robertson, said she was struck by the accuracy of the portrayal.

“I can’t believe we’re here after 40‑odd years,” she said. “I couldn’t believe how they actually played the way we were. That is just the way it happened.”

Helen Monaghan, who was 45 when the dispute began, said: “It was surreal. It was emotional as well, because the person that plays you is bringing it all back – what really happened.”

Catherine added: “Helen was a feisty thing back then!”

“Not anymore,” Helen laughed. “But you had to be. It was terrible the way they treated us.”

Helen Monaghan with Jo Freer, the actor who portrays her in the show STV News

The sit‑in began in February 1981 after workers discovered that their employer, Vanity Fair Corporation, was planning to shift production from Greenock to Northern Ireland. When talks between union representatives and management collapsed, Helen helped organise a round‑the‑clock occupation of the factory.

Workers covered the premises in 12‑hour shifts to prevent machinery and stock from being removed. On the first night, some climbed onto the factory roof to haul in 240 fish suppers.

The dispute unfolded against a backdrop of severe economic hardship in Inverclyde. At the time, female unemployment in the area stood at 13.3%, half as high again as the Scottish average of 9.6%.

Word of the occupation spread quickly, drawing widespread support from the local community and trade unions across the country. Labour heavyweight Tony Benn was among those who visited the factory during the sit‑in.

The women travelled across the UK, speaking at factories, mines and shipyards to rally support.

Workers across the Lower Clyde shipyards also backed the cause, introducing a 50p weekly wage levy to create a collective support fund for those involved in the occupation.

Workers outside the Lees factory in Greenock STV News

After seven months, the owners agreed to sell the factory to local management under Inverwear Limited. By the time the deal was reached, the workforce had dropped from 240 to around 140.

The workers returned in September 1981, though the factory ultimately closed permanently two years later after the collapse of its main customers.

Jo Freer, who plays Helen Monaghan in Stand & Deliver, said portraying a real person brought a unique responsibility.

“We know we’re probably doing it right if it’s unlocking memories for them,” she said. “This is the first time I’ve ever played a real‑life person and you just want to do them justice.

“Being able to speak to Helen and ask her about how she felt at that time means I can layer that into the performance.”

Chiara Sparkes with Maggie Wallace STV News

Chiara Sparkes, who portrays Maggie Wallace, said stepping into the role has been deeply rewarding.

“It’s very nerve‑wracking, but also it’s a very, very special story to tell. They’re very special women so that makes it all the more exciting.

“I play Maggie. At the time she’s only 19. She is a great champion in the story and a character which is so fun to play. I just said to her there ‘it’s so great, because you’ve actually just got such an amazing story.'”

Story consultant Paul English said it was easy to see why the sit‑in had succeeded after meeting the women involved.

Lees factory workers staged seven month sit-in to prevent stock and machinery being taken STV News

“You meet them now and you’re not surprised they achieved what they did,” he said.

“The character that they had, the determination that they showed. The thing I just keep coming back to is how humour and community were the two things that really drove this thing through.

“Unions were backing them, predominantly male-led unions, because they could see these industrial disputes were not just the domain of the male-dominated industries that we’d heard so much about.

“At every point in the process, it’s been working towards this moment where we’ve got them together and we’re able to show them some of what has come from what they achieved.”

As Stand & Deliver opens at the Tron Theatre, Paul said seeing the women’s reactions will be a defining moment for him.

“I almost want to be sitting next to them on the night, watching them as much as I want to watch the play.”

Stand & Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-In will run at Glasgow’s Tron Theatre from Tuesday, April 28 to Saturday, May 9.