NORTHERN Broadsides and York Theatre Royal have joined forces to stage They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay!, Deborah McAndrew’s new adaptation of Dario Fo’s political satire of civil disobedience Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!, transposed to Brexit Britain.

Directed by Northern Broadsides new Artistic Director and Joint CEO Conrad Nelson, the new adaptation based on Jon Laskin and Michael Aquilante’s translation, will be at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 November.

They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay! tells the story of Anthea, who gets mixed up in a riot at her local supermarket and seizes the opportunity to stock her empty cupboards and those of her friend. But what will the two friends tell their law-abiding husbands?

The cast is Steve Huison, Lisa Howard, Matt Connor, Suzanne Ahmet and Michael Hugo.

Deborah McAndrew said: “Dario Fo tackled everything through comedy – no matter how unfunny that might appear to be. In his Italy of the 1970s there are clear parallels with the kind of food poverty we see in 21st-century Britain, with the growth of food banks and holiday hunger projects, etc.

“It’s interesting to note that Fo reworked this play himself in 2010. He updated the references and changed the title from the original Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!, but it’s pretty much the same play. In fact, the amendments he made to the ending seem to express a feeling of sorrow that in almost 40 years little has changed.

“Like Accidental Death of an Anarchist, which I adapted for Northern Broadsides in 2008, They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay! is a great fit for a company with a bold, narrative style and a direct connection to its audience in performance. “

Deborah said: “It’s fast and funny, but also sharp and relevant, providing countless opportunities to satirise the state of our own politics and the plight of the poorest people in society at a time of sustained austerity policy, Brexit, and ideological infighting on both sides of the Commons.”

Tickets are priced from £10, and can be booked at the box office on 01723 370541 or via the website: www.sjt.uk.com