Rutherglen thespians made in Dagenham
EDEL KENEALY
Talented performers from Rutherglen and Cambuslang are preparing to tread the boards in new musical Made in Dagenham.
Michelle Lynch, Mhairi Dunsmore, Naomi Wylie, Mairead Dunsmore, Emma Donohoe, Bryan Lynch and Colette Dunsmore will be among more than 40 performers from the Minerva Club bringing the powerful story to life on stage at Eastwood Park Theatre.
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.
The strike was influential in the passing of the Equal Pay Act in 1970.
The musical follows the leader of the strike, Rita O’Grady – played by Gemma Arterton in the 2014 West End production – as she encourages the women of the factory to walk out after they are reclassified as unskilled workers, while their male counterparts see their wages increase.
Mhairi Dunsmore, 24, of Cambuslang, plays factory girl
Cass in the show. She said: “I am delighted to be part of such a powerful show. Equal pay and women’s rights are still such an issue in today’s society and Made in Dagenham demonstrates that continuing struggle brilliantly.
“Cass is my first principle role with the Minerva Club after many cameo roles and I am honoured to be able to tell this story.”
Minerva Club president Colette Dunsmore said: “Made in Dagenham is a very emotive show, and as a club we are looking forward to bringing the incredible true story of the Dagenham women to a local audience.
“We have been loving rehearsals so far and can’t wait to showcase our hard work on the Eastwood stage.”
Made in Dagenham will be on at Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock, from Tuesday, November 12 to Saturday November 16.
Tickets cost £15-£19 and are available from any cast member, by emailing tickets@theminervaclub. com or online from www. eastwoodparktheatre.co.uk
To find out more about the Minerva Club see the website.