Set in the England of 1837, Holding Fire! is the tale of a young girl’s journey from London slum to servants’ quarters of a great house, and from first love to murder. Along the way she meets Chartist William Lovett, who is trying to steer a course between the coalition of Parliament and Industry, and the forces gathering against it.

Jack Shepherd’s new play paints a picture of the violent times of early Victorian England, taking in tavern assemblies, prize fights, gin palace communists, industrialists and whores.