Well, strike a light; it’s London’s East End in 1888, the year of Jack the Ripper’s reign of terror, and we’re out with a bunch of working women. But these aren’t street girls who are lying down and taking the hardship and trauma meted out to them by their oppressor. This is the start of Women’s Lib – the original Girl Power!

These are the Matchgirls, and they’re rebelling against the shoddy conditions they work in at the Bryant and May Factory, the poor wages; the fines they have to pay for talking or dropping things; and their worst nightmare – Phossy Jaw, brought on from having their meagre lunch supplemented with a liberal coating of phosphorus which eventually dissolves their teeth and rots their jawbones.

But did this stop them speaking out? Oh no. They do this to full effect with the help of Annie Besant, a women’s rights journalist who escalates their case, and highlights it to mainstream press, but is, herself, overwhelmed by the strength of the girls’ reaction and their willingness to fight for their cause.

But who would think of making this story into a musical?

That would take a special man, with a strong sense of social conscience combined with a successful song-writing career. But that’s not how you might know his name best. London born Bill Owen, who wrote the book and lyrics for the show, also played the marvellously scruffy Compo from ‘Last of the Summer Wine’. Anyone who can play a character like that for 35 years has to have a sense of humour, and this shines through in the dialogue and songs throughout.

The weekly lucky dip that gives the girls A Hatful of Hope, a shotgun wedding observation on married life, the usual Cockney Sparrow shenanigans, at least one romantic rivalry (and resulting cat fight) and a night out up the west end on the Lah-di-Dah and some earthy romance that colours all decisions…..There are plenty of light-hearted moments between the serious observations of their struggle as we "Look Around" their world.

As you’d expect in a bunch of women, there’s a right old mix – feisty hotheads, unabashed flirts, wistful romantics, boozy birds and mother hens. And the on-stage characters are just as varied! Bill Owen’s Cockney Sparrows are a close-knit group, taking their ups and downs with earthy East End spark, tinged with humour and an obstinate refusal to have the hope in Hope Court snuffed out.

Mind You, there are some Men around too – well you need a bit of chemistry to keep the ‘Lah di Dah’ going. And what if you could have George Bernard Shaw too – wouldn’t that be luverley?

What is surprising is that in all our 75 years, TEPOS hasn’t done this show before. But it’s been worth the wait, and the members of the company who are involved with it share similar bonds to the characters – friendship, camaraderie and support. Gives you a nice warm glow to be part of such a company!

Tickets are available from the Bob Hope Theatre, Wythfield Road, SE9 5TG, priced £13 (£10 concessions available Wednesday & Thursday evening and Saturday matinee.

Box office 020 8850 3702 or online at bobhopetheatre.co.uk www.tepos.co.uk Based on information supplied by Carol Macfarlane.