This November College Players present Made in Dagenham – a big-hearted British musical full of grit, humour and 1960s spirit.

Following last year’s hugely popular Betty Blue Eyes, College Players are delighted to bring another feel-good British story to Stamford — this time swapping post-war Yorkshire for the factory floors of Essex in 1968.

Meet the Essex girls who changed the world!

Britain is changing, but not fast enough for the sewing machinists at Ford Dagenham, who discover they’re being paid far less than the men doing similar work. What begins as a small workplace dispute soon grows into a national movement, led by Rita O’Grady — a working mum who never expected to find herself at the centre of a political storm.

Rita and her friends are a lively, lovable group of women juggling families, factory life and the frustrations of being overlooked. When they decide to take a stand, they find themselves up against Ford, the government, and the attitudes of the time. Their fight for fairness becomes a landmark moment in British history, told here with warmth, wit and a soundtrack bursting with 60s energy.

This musical is full of colourful characters: Rita and her husband Eddie, trying to keep their family afloat; Beryl, whose blunt humour steals every scene; Connie, the wise union stalwart; and the glamorous but underestimated Lisa Hopkins. Add in American executives, stressed factory managers, and a Prime Minister who’d rather be anywhere else, and you have a story that’s both hilarious and heartfelt.

Made in Dagenham is a celebration of friendship, community and the power of ordinary people to make extraordinary changes. With uplifting songs, big laughs and plenty of heart, it’s a show that will leave you smiling, humming and perhaps even feeling a little inspired.

A funny, moving and thoroughly British story, brought to life by College Players — a much-loved Stamford amateur musical society, entertaining audiences at the Arts Centre for almost 50 years.

Acknowledgements

MADE IN DAGENHAM - The Musical

Book by Richard Bean | Music by David Arnold | Lyrics by Richard Thomas

Based on the Woolley/Karlsen/Number 9 Motion Picture

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International

All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI www.mtishows.co.uk