Current Productions
Made in
Dagenham
Woodside Hall, Hitchin
16th to 20th October 2018
Director - Leigh Smith
Musical Director - Rob Brand
Based on the 2010
film of the same name, Made in Dagenham is
drawn from the real-life 1968 sewing machinists
strike at the Ford factory in Dagenham, Essex which
was influential in the passing of the Equal Pay Act
of 1970.
The show focuses
on the leader of the strike, Rita O’Grady, as she
encourages the women of the Ford factory to walk out
after they are re-classified as unskilled workers,
while their male counterparts see their wages
increase.
After Rita is
patronized and snubbed by the factory at a union
meeting, the women’s grievances over their worker
status turn into a fight for equal pay.
Determined not to
be treated like the poor relation, the women vote
unanimously to strike (“Everybody Out”) and
encourage the women at the Liverpool factory to
strike also.
However, when the
American bosses fly in and lay off 5,000 men as a
result, including Rita’s husband Eddie, cracks begin
to show in the women’s solidarity. Risking her
marriage and friendships, Rita continues her efforts
for equality and gives a rousing speech at a
televised Trade Union Conference (“Stand Up”),
leading to the passing of equal pay within the
union.
As Eddie finally
recognizes his wife’s achievements, the women
celebrate their life-changing success. Featuring a
rousing score and a choice of good character roles,
Made in Dagenham offers parts for all ages.
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