“Harry Bridges is one of the most important labor leaders of the 20th century, and Ian Ruskin, in his one-man show, has captured him -- his persona, his ideas -- brilliantly. There were times when I forgot this was someone other than Harry Bridges speaking. It is a valuable piece of working-class history, presented colorfully and intelligently."
Howard Zinn, Historian, Playwright and Social Activist.
The One-Man Play
This play is a human portrayal of Bridge's passion, struggles and wicked sense of humor. It features Bridges' own words, from his rallying speeches of the 1930s and his electrifying testimony at his trials to the words of his contemporaries. The play is designed for performances in theaters, union halls, community centers, and universities.
The play had its world premiere at the University 
of Washington Summer Arts
Festival. It was enthusiastically received...
"It was wonderful to meet Harry Bridges through your splendid performance as part of the Unversity of Washington's Summer Arts Festival...The work is excellent and important, our children and students need to learn about the past struggles in our country..." --Sarah Nash Gates, Executive Director, School of Drama, University of Washington.
Ian has performed the play nearly 200 times to approximately 50,000 people in high schools, universities, union conventions, theatres, museums, libraries and citizens’ groups. He has performed across America and in Canada, Hawai’i, England and at the New Theatre in Sydney, Australia. He also appeared as Harry at a meeting of the Maritime Union of Australia in Melbourne, Harry's hometown, and at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
If you are interested in reading letters of reccomendation or booking a performance of the play for your event or organization, please visit our bookings page.