A Regular Terror
a true story of a remarkable woman
Wednesday 24th June 2026
Laura Annie Willson.
Mill girl, activist, trade unionist, feminist, engineer, housebulder. What a woman, what a legacy.
Speaking at an outdoor meeting in support of a weavers’ strike, Laura Annie was arrested. In court she demanded to be tried by a jury of women. Instead she was sent to Armley jail for 14 days. Afterwards she said: “I went into prison a rebel and I came out a regular terror”.
She went on to become a leading figure in the Suffragette movement, a friend of Emmeline Pankhurst. She was imprisoned in Holloway with Emily Davison. She became an engineer and was awarded the MBE for her services to the war effort, before going on to build over 800 workers’ houses.
Born into poverty in a man’s world, she didn’t just break the glass ceiling, she smashed it to smithereens. From rags to riches, mill worker to millionaire, prison to palace, she never forgot her roots or her social conscience.
Come and be inspired by the incredible story of this feisty northern lass whose grit and determination knew no bounds.
Running time tbc
TALKING STOCK is an independent theatre company which pledges to produce compelling theatre with a loving heart and a LOUD voice.
Alan Stockdill is a playwright based in Yorkshire, who has written several plays performed at Millgate Arts Centre : Le Grand Return, The Last Memory.
