Musical comedy to strike a chord with audiences
It’s a case of assembly line meets chorus line as ‘Made in Dagenham’ is set to open in Tullyvin Community Centre next week.
The award-winning Tullyvin Musical Society is set to stage the West End hit musical comedy across five dates. ‘Made in Dagenham’ is based on the true story of the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car Factory where a group of courageous female workers took a stand for equal pay. Their fight sparked a movement and played a key role in shaping equality legislation in the UK.
Celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, Tullyvin Musical Society are delighted to bring this show to the local stage.
“It’s different from the usual shows we do,” begins Chairperson Jackie McQuillan. “It’s based on a true story and has a strong message that still resonates today. Made in Dagenham has grit and it’s feisty! Think Billy Elliott, and The Fully Monty!
“It’s an historically factual show, a huge story with lots of comedy. There is some colourful language in case anyone is offended by that. It’s not meant to offend.
“It’s the language of its time in working class Britain. But it is also full of heart, very emotional and there is also a bit of tugging at the heart strings,” says Jackie.
Strike
Longstanding TVMS member Andrea Fitzpatrick takes the lead role of Rita O’Grady who leads the strike at the Ford Dagenham factory. Andrea played the part of Aunt Eller in last year’s production of ‘Oklahoma! Andrea’s co-star is Enda Gill who plays the part of Eddie, Rita O’Grady’s husband who is inconvenienced by his wife’s absence from home due to her striking activities.
The O’Grady children are played by local school children Tighearnán Ó Maol Tuile who plays Graham, Tighearnán is joining his real-life mam Andrea on stage this year and Zoe Hannigan who plays his younger sister, Sharon. Both children attend the local national school, St. Brigid’s NS, Kill. Jackie McQuillan plays factory steward, Connie Riley, with Brian Feerick as Union Rep, Monty. The factory girls are played by Pamela McCormack as the brassy Beryl, Emily Smith as Clare, Alanna Pepper as Sandra and Aiveen Sexton as Cass. Other roles include Liam McEneaney as Harold Wilson, Gemma O’Reilly as Barbara Castle, Paula McEntee as Lisa Hopkins, Eugene Hill as Jeremy Hopkins and Colm Shalvey as Mr. Tooley, a Ford executive from Texas.
The production team includes TVMS member turned director: Aoife Shalvey; musical director: Dave McGaughan, choreographer: Aisling Rountree and set design and stage manager, Stephen Hannigan.
The show involves a massive effort from everyone involved.
“It’s a huge undertaking,” says Jackie McQuillan. “Costing approximately €50,000 and involving around 50-60 people between cast and backstage crew. Obviously, directors are involved and each year we bring in a full live Orchestra but everyone on stage and behind the scenes is there on a voluntary basis. We couldn’t do it without our sponsors and our main sponsor this year is appropriately Ford Autoparc Cavan”.
‘Made in Dagenham’ is geared up and ready to take to the stage of the Tullyvin Community Centre. The show runs from Wednesday, October 15 to Saturday, October 18 at 8pm each night with a Matinée show on Saturday, October 18 at 2.30pm. Tickets €25 including booking fee and can be purchased from gr8events.ie or the ticket line on 087 2538 929.