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Overview

Synopsis

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. This strike was influential in the passing of the Equal Pay Act of 1970. The musical 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.

Show Information

Music
David Arnold
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Made in Dagenham (2010 film)
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2014
Genres
Comedy, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Contemporary, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
essex, england, 1960s
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
Musical Staging
Ideal For
College/University, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Child, Early Teen Characters

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Eddie O'Grady

Lead

Male

Baritone

Rita O'Grady

Lead

Female

Alto

Barry

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Sid

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Bill

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Monty

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Mr. Hopkins

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Mr. Tooley

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Ron Macer

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Gregory Hubble

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Harold Wilson

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Graham O'Grady

Supporting

Male

Beryl

Supporting

Female

Alto

Connie Riley

Supporting

Female

Alto

Cass

Supporting

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Clare

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Sandra Beaumont

Supporting

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Barbara Castle

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Lisa Hopkins

Supporting

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Sharon O'Grady

Featured

Female

Songs

Act One

Busy Woman - Rita, Sharon, Graham, Eddie & Ensemble

*Made in Dagenham - Ensemble

*This Is What We Want - Sandra, Beryl, Rita, Cass, Clare & Female Ensemble

*Union Song - Male Ensemble

Wossname - Clare, Female Ensemble

Always A Problem - Harold Wilson & Aides

Busy Woman (Barbara Castle) - Barbara Castle

*Pay Day - Ensemble

I’m Sorry I Love You - Eddie, Rita & Male Ensemble

School Song - Graham & Male Ensemble

*Same Old Story - Ensemble

Union Song (Reprise) - Ensemble

*Everybody Out - Rita & Factory Workers

Act Two

This is America - Mr. Tooley & Ensemble

Storm Clouds - Lisa, Mr. Tooley, Harold Wilson, Barbara Castle & Ensemble

*Cortina! - Cortina Man & Girls

The Letter - Eddie

Ideal World - Barbara Castle

Nearly Had It All - Rita, Eddie & Female Ensemble

Viva Eastbourne - Beryl, Sandra, Cass & Ensemble

Stand Up - Rita, Eddie & Ensemble

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher