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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. |
