The hit musical comedy about the 1984 miners' strike is set to return in July following a sold-out spring tour.

'We're Not Going Back' takes a look at the miners' strike through the eyes of three sisters and is being brought back to the stage to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984/85 miners’ dispute.

The production by the Red Ladder Theatre Company, in association with Unite the Union, is penned by Boff Whalley, a founder member of Chumbawamba.

After its successful spring run, the revived show is scheduled to tour various venues in the North of England, including Selby, Ripon, Hexham, Durham, Newcastle, Hetton-Le-Hole, and Featherstone.

The musical was first commissioned a decade ago.

Boff Whalley said: "I wrote We’re Not Going Back because Unite the Union had asked Red Ladder to create some kind of theatrical commemoration.

"My first thought was, ‘yes, I’d love to write a musical about the strike’.

"But I didn’t want it to be about miners and cops fighting on picket lines.

"I wanted it to be about the women who embodied the spirit and passion of the times.

"So myself and original director Rod Dixon met with some of the women involved in the Women Against Pit Closures support groups.

"They were hilarious, fantastic, full of stories."

Mr Whalley relished writing female characters and working with the talented cast, expressing how their rendition of 'What Price Coal?' moved him to tears.

Returning in their original roles this July are Victoria Brazier, Claire O’Connor, Stacey Sampson, and Beccy Owen.

Director Elvi Piper said: "The shockwaves of the strike have shaped the lives of generations to come, and the experiences of the play’s characters 40 years ago are eerily and frustratingly familiar today.

"I’ve been overwhelmingly inspired by the incredible true stories of defiance, empowerment, and determination in the face of adversity that this process has thrown in my path; and I hope audiences will be too.

"I hope they’ll leave this show inspired, outraged, smiling, swearing and singing – entertained, affected and even ‘changed’ by the art on the stage in front of them.”

For tickets, visit: https://www.redladder.co.uk/whatson/were-not-going-back/