Ewan MacColl: Theatre
A lodger at the Millers' suggested to the 14 year old Jimmy that he join the Clarion Players. This involvement led to the formation of the Red Megaphones, a youthful street theatre troupe who concentrated on short agitprop pieces performed at political gatherings and outside factory gates in Salford and Manchester.
When the group wanted to expand their theatrical range they formed a new group they called Theatre of Action. Now joined by RADA trained Joan Littlewood, they performed on the stage as well as the street.
Miller and Littlewood returned to Manchester in 1936 and formed a new troupe they named Theatre Union. This group lasted until 1942.
In 1945 with the war drawing to a close former members of Theatre Union and others of a like mind met in Manchester and started a new troupe they called Theatre Workshop. The next eight years were spent touring, mostly in the north of England, but with notable visits to Europe and the Soviet bloc.
In 1953 Theatre Workshop settled in London and Jimmie Miller, now going by the name of Ewan MacColl, left to concentrate on his growing interest in folk music.
From then on music and song were to be the major focus of his activity.
He did not completely stop writing and producing for the stage, his last play was performed in 1983. Here is a list of his theatre productions.