From Docks to Desktops

By Simon Startin and Jonathan Petherbridge

London's recent history captured in dramatic form.

Created from dozens of personal testimonies, this is the story of the changing face of work today. Surrey Docks in South-East London was once a thriving commercial hub, hosting some of the UK’s leading commercial brands, including Crosse & Blackwell, Sarson’s, Peek Freans and Lipton’s. These huge organisations created a myriad of jobs for local people, and the community prospered. But, with the decline of the docks in the 1970s, factories closed down or relocated, work patterns changed and redevelopment began. ‘From Docks to Desktops’ explores the fascinating story of how one community has survived the 21st-century challenges of urban change and renewal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aurora Metro Books
• Release date: Jul 5, 2017
• ISBN: 9781906582708

Book preview

Simon Startin

Simon Startin has worked as a professional theatre-maker since 1991. Initially as an actor, working with such companies as Graeae, Royal Exchange Manchester, Hampstead Theatre, Red Shift and Fittings, as well as roles on film and television. In 2002 he branched into writing through the Paines Plough Wild Lunch scheme. The resulting play Revolting was funded by London Arts and premiered at the Xposure Festival, a dark satire on models of disability telling the story of Happenstance – the cripple Christ never cured.

Since then he has struck up a fruitful relationship with London Bubble Theatre Company, writing nine pieces for them, five of which were awarded the Time Out Critics’ Choice.

His other plays include: The Crock of Gold, Myths, Rituals and Whitegoods, Metamorphoses, Odyssey, Mezzanine and Sirens of Titan.

Currently, Simon is Co-creative Director of the The Big Lounge Collective, a production company that promotes the work of emerging disabled artists.

His play Blackbirds, produced by London Bubble, is also published by Aurora Metro Books.

First published in the UK in 2013 by Aurora Metro Publications Ltd.

67 Grove Avenue, Twickenham, TW1 4HX

www.aurorametro.com [e-mail]

From Docks to Desktops © copyright 2013 Simon Startin

Cover design © copyright 2013 Emmi design

Production: Simon Smith

With many thanks to: Anna Laura Festa, Fay Allum, Molly Gibbons, Neil Gregory, Richard Turk and Alex Chambers.

All rights are strictly reserved.

For rights enquiries including performing rights, contact the publisher: [e-mail]

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

In accordance with Section 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, Simon Startin asserts his moral right to be identified as the author of the above work.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Printed by imprintdigital.com, Exeter, UK.

Ebook conversion by Swift ProSys.

ISBNs:

978-1-906582-54-8 (print version)

978-1-906582-70-8 (ebook version)

FROM DOCKS TO DESKTOPS

Inspired by

South Londoners

Developed by

Jonathan Petherbridge

Written by

SIMON STARTIN

AURORA METRO BOOKS

London Bubble would like to thank:

The story tellers: Barbara Acheampong, Jim Annand, Margaret Aspey, Ike Bakers, Betty Baldry, Mark Bean, John