Made In Dagenham – Made in Colne

It’s been almost 55 years since the women sewing machinists brought Henry Ford and his car company to its knees. Viewed as one of the most heroic episodes in British history, in the summer of 1968 the machinists at Ford Dagenham went out on strike, campaigning for re-grading and equal pay.

When Ford arrived in the UK in 1929, they opened a huge factory in Dagenham offering well-paid jobs to 30,000 workers. Taking two years to build, the Dagenham factory was the largest in Europe.

Although there had been industrial action at Dagenham in the past, only men had ever been on strike, that was until June 8th 1968 when Vera Sime along with 187 women from the Dagenham and Liverpool plant travelled to the streets of Whitehall to protest for fairer working conditions.

Vera was a lady on a mission, determined to eradicate unfair working conditions and sexual discrimination. Vera remembered their workplace as an “old shack with an asbestos roof” that let in the rain and housed rats and mice. “In summer it was like a sweat house and they came round and gave us lime juice and salt tablets,” says Vera.

Vera and the army of machinists were to change the future of women’s working conditions and become an important catalyst for further struggles. Despite performing the specialised task of sewing upholstery for car seats, women were classified as unskilled labour and paid much less than men. The machinists originally called for their jobs to be re-graded from unskilled (Grade B) to semi-skilled (Grade C), but it soon became clear that a big underlying problem was the existence of a ‘women’s rate’, which was only 85% of the unskilled male rate.

DRAWING ON A STRENGTH SHE NEVER KNEW SHE HAD, RITA LEADS HER FRIENDS IN A BATTLE AGAINST THE MIGHT OF FORD

Northern lass, Barbara Castle, Secretary of State for Employment at the time, intervened on behalf of the women and after a mammoth meeting, eight strike leaders brokered a deal to end their three-week strike, which resulted in the women agreeing to return to work and the conception of the 1970 Equal Pay Act. The women returned to work after their pay was raised to 92% of that of men, plus the promise that their grading grievances would be fairly examined.

After years battling for recognition, plus promises that the new grading was on its way, Ford and the women finally ran out of road. The sewing machinists walked out again in 1984 and the strike became a national news story. No machinists meant no seats. And no seats meant no cars. On this occasion, the women got exactly what they asked for…

It’s a story that inspired the 2010 film Made in Dagenham, starring Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins and Miranda Richardson, and it proved to be so successful that in 2014 Made in Dagenham the musical was born and made its West End and world premiere at the Adelphi Theatre. But who needs the Adelphi Theatre when you immerse yourself in the swinging sixties when the show comes to The Pendle Hippodrome Theatre in Colne, Lancashire on Tuesday 21st – Saturday 25th March.

Inspired by the true story and based on the hit movie, Made in Dagenham is the uplifting new British musical comedy about friendship, love and the importance of fighting for what is right. Viewed through the eyes of fictional character Rita O’Grady.

…it portrays the women with remorseless resilience yet unerring humour

Like millions of other working women, each morning Rita played by Jessica Sanderson is just trying to get her husband out of bed, get the kids off to school and get to work at the factory on time. But life is about to change forever when it’s announced that the girls in the stitching room of Ford’s Dagenham car plant will have their pay grade dropped to ‘unskilled’.

Encouraged by a sympathetic union representative, Rita agrees to bring the women’s grievances to Ford. The meeting goes badly and, outraged by the company’s lack of respect for them, Rita leads her colleagues to strike.

Quickly drawing on a strength she never knew she had, Rita leads her friends in a battle against the might of Ford and the corruption of the Union there to protect them. As the girls’ inspiring journey develops at pace, the pressure proves to be too much for some, but can Rita keep up the fight and the happy home she’s worked so hard for?

Stitched together with grit and wit, the show neither patronises nor glamorises; it portrays the women with remorseless resilience yet unerring humour.

Performed and produced by volunteers at Pendle Theatre Company – the show symbolises the fight for what is right – and in a time when the world of theatre is struggling to survive, it’s down to the pure passion and dedication given by the volunteers that will ensure stories and shows continue to be told for your enjoyment. Directed by Daniel Mason, with Lisa Manley as Musical Director, and yours truly as choreographer the show will thrill, excite and unite – who needs the West End when this ‘bonnie town on the hill’ can deliver professionalism and talent worthy of Broadway.

A melting pot of northern talent – the Pendle Hippodrome Theatre welcomes performers through to teamakers, everyone plays an important part in the success of the theatre and its company. In 2015 they received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK, and have continued to produce professional productions. If you fancy treading the boards, creating costumes or you have exceptional brew making skills then why not join them? It’s an ideal opportunity to pursue your passion, while meeting new people…

The show symbolises the fight for what is right – and in a time when the world of theatre is struggling to survive, it’s down to the pure passion and dedication given by the volunteers that will ensure stories and shows continue to be told for your enjoyment.

So, as choreographer of this fantastic show, I ask you: Isn’t it time to do as the women at Ford did – ‘stand up’, get ‘everybody out’ and book your tickets for a jaw-dropping and showstopping story that changed the course of history forever…

Made in Dagenham –
Made in Colne…

Pendle Hippodrome Theatre, New Market Street Colne, Lancashire BB8 9BJ
Tues 21st- Sat 25th March
Tickets can be booked online phtheatre.co.uk or the box office on 01282 863210.

ColneLife Spring 23