Casting announced for Made in Dagenham revival

Casting has been announced for the upcoming actor-musician revival of Made in Dagenham.

Directed by Douglas Rintoul, the show will run at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch between 16th August and 17th September and at the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich from 21st September to 15th October 2016.

Daniella Bowen (Taboo/Mamma Mia) will lead the cast as Rita with the cast also including Angela Bain as Beryl, Dan de Cruz as Bill, Anthony Hunt as Monty, Steve Simmonds as Cortina Man, Loren O'Dair as Lisa, Sophie-May Feek as Sandra, Sarah Scowen as Clare, Alex Tomkins as Eddie, Graham Kent as Harold Wilson/Beckton/Chubby, Joey Hickman as Barry/Aide 2, Martina Isibor as Cass, Jeffery Harmer as Tooley, Wendy Morgan as Connie, Claire Machin as Barbara and Jamie Noar as Hopkins.

Everybody out! Made in Dagenham to be revived with actor-musician production

The Stage have announced that Made in Dagenham is being revived with a new actor-musician production.

Directed by Douglas Rintoul, the show will run at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch between 16th August and 17th September and at the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich from 21st September to 15th October 2016.

Speaking to The Stage, Rintoul revealed the production will be a "stripped back" version of the show. He also said: "It’s great to be the first to really reshape it. The West End production was vast, but I’m really excited about stripping it back to the very core storytelling,"

Made in Dagenham to release cast recording

It has been revealed that an Original London Cast Recording of Made in Dagenham is currently being made. A release date is yet to be confirmed.

Made in Dagenham's West End run at the Adelphi Theatre concludes on 11th April 2015. Starring Gemma Arterton as Rita O’Grady, Made in Dagenham is directed by Rupert Goold with book by Richard Bean, music by David Arnold and lyrics by Richard Thomas.

Made in Dagenham to close in April

It has been confirmed that Made in Dagenham will close in the West End on 11th April 2015. A statement posted on the show's Facebook Page reads:

Today it has been announced that we will end our run at the Adelphi Theatre on Saturday 11th April adding a further two weeks to our booking period before the final performance in April. Producers are already in discussions regarding a UK Tour and future life for the show.

Rebecca Quigley, Stage Entertainment Producer, said: “I'm immensely proud of Made in Dagenham and of everyone involved in bringing it to the stage. Brand new, British musicals are few and far between - particularly those that can make you laugh and move you in equal measure. Our writers, creative team and company have been particularly passionate about telling this true story of a remarkable event in our history with the wit, heart and creativity it deserves. They’ve achieved that and so much more.

Guest Blog: A change in the air…

Jonathan Slinger in Urinetown

For many years, London's West End was known for being full of Jukebox Musicals. Shows such as We Will Rock You, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia and Rock of Ages dominated theatreland, bringing audiences to their feet night after night. However, jukebox musicals aren’t for everyone as there are many who would prefer to see something totally new. 

2014 has been very different, there seems to be a change in the air – there has been a sudden influx of original shows. New plays and musicals are taking the West End by storm and proving that you don't need a famous well known score to send audiences out from a theatre with smiles on their faces.

I was very lucky to witness three of these brand new original shows in a recent visit to the capital and they all made an impact on me in very different ways. 

Do musicals always have to have a happy ending? Well - not that I will be spoiling anything here… but over in Urinetown (currently at the Apollo Theatre) you are certainly made to question that idea. Jamie Lloyd's brilliant production of the Broadway musical, which had a sell-out run at the St James Theatre earlier this year, is continuing to pull in the crowds since its West End transfer back in September. 

Review: Made In Dagenham at the Adelphi Theatre

Made In Dagenham 
Adelphi Theatre
Reviewed on Wednesday 5th November 2014
★★★

Hooray! A NEW British musical has opened in the West End which has a relevant story to tell! What's the catch? Sadly it's not quite up to scratch... yet.

Transporting us back to 1968, Made In Dagenham is inspired by a true story about a group of Essex girls working in a factory who went on strike demanding equal pay. Gemma Arterton plays Rita O’Grady who leads the girls on their mission, but soon discovers it isn't easy to organise a strike and maintain a happy family life at the same time. Nevertheless, Rita and her friends battle against Ford, refusing to back down.

Sneak peek at... Made in Dagenham

Producers of Made in Dagenham have released first production images via the musical's Facebook Page ahead of its official opening on Wednesday (5th November). Check out the pictures below (click image to enlarge) and 'like' Made in Dagenham on Facebook to view more!

Isla Blair & David Cardy complete Made in Dagenham cast

It has been announced that Isla Blair (pictured right) and David Cardy will complete the cast of Made in Dagenham as Connie and Monty.

The production, which stars Gemma Arterton as Rita O’Grady, opens at the Adelphi Theatre on Wednesday 5th November (previews from 9th October).

Based on the hit British film, the new musical comedy will also star: Adrian der Gregorian as Eddie, Steve Furst as Mr Tooley, Mark Hadfield as Harold Wilson, Sophie-Louise Dann as Barbara Castle, Sophie Stanton as Beryl, Heather Craney as Clare, Sophie Isaacs as Sandra, Julius D'Silva as Mr Hopkins and Naomi Frederick as Lisa.

Interview: Gemma Arterton

International stage and screen actress Gemma Arterton is currently preparing to star as Rita O’Grady in the West End’s newest musical, Made In Dagenham.

Based on the hit British film, Made In Dagenham opens at the Adelphi Theatre in November. The new musical comedy has been in development for around four years, with Gemma involved from the early workshop stages.

Director Rupert Goold has gathered a dream team to adapt the successful film for the stage. Made in Dagenham has a book by Richard Bean, music by David Arnold and lyrics by Richard Thomas.

Yesterday (Tuesday 17th June) I headed to the Playhouse Theatre for the musical’s press launch. First we were treated to five of the show’s catchy, funny and poignant numbers which showed off the piece’s huge potential. It certainly is set to be the most relevant new musical we’ve seen in the West End for a while!

Gemma made her professional stage debut at the Globe in 2007 as Rosaline in Love's Labour's Lost. Earlier this year she returned to the theatre to star in the title role in The Duchess of Malfi. On stage Gemma has also starred as Hilde Wangel in Ibsen's The Master Builder (Almeida) and as Ellen in Jamie Lloyd's production of The Little Dog Laughed (Garrick). 

Listen to new song from Made In Dagenham!

Producers of Made In Dagenham have released the first song from the new stage musical, entitled 'Everybody Out'. Click here to listen to the song.

Directed by multi-award winning Rupert Goold (Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre), Made in Dagenham has a book by Richard Bean (writer of One Man, Two Guvnors), music by BAFTA and Grammy award winning composer David Arnold (James Bond series and Little Britain) and lyrics from Olivier Award winner Richard Thomas (Jerry Spring The Opera).

Further casting announced for Made In Dagenham

Further casting has been announced for Made In Dagenham which opens at the Adelphi Theatre on Wednesday 5th November (previews from 9th October).

Based on the hit British film, the new musical comedy will star international stage and screen actress Gemma Arterton (pictured right) in the lead role of Rita O’Grady, with Adrian der Gregorian as her husband Eddie.

Joining Gemma and Adrian are Steve Furst playing US Ford Executive Mr Tooley, Mark Hadfield as Harold Wilson, Sophie-Louise Dann playing Barbara Castle, Sophie Stanton as Beryl, Heather Craney as Clare, Sophie Isaacs as Sandra, Julius D'Silva playing Ford Dagenham boss Mr Hopkins and Naomi Frederick as his wife Lisa.

Also joining the Made in Dagenham cast are Naana Agyei-Ampadu, Thomas Aldridge, Kate Coysten, Christopher Howell, Scott Garnham, Ian Jervis, Paul Kemble, Emma Lindars, Jo Napthine, Tracey Penn, Gemma Salter, Gareth Snook, Rachel Spurrell, Emily Squibb, Karli Vale and Rene Zagger.

Made In Dagenham releases first trailer

The producers of Made In Dagenham have released the new musical's first trailer. Watch the video below.

Made In Dagenham opens at the Adelphi Theatre on Wednesday 5th November (previews from 9th October). Based on the hit British film, the new musical comedy will star international stage and screen actress Gemma Arterton as Rita O’Grady opposite Adrian der Gregorian as her husband Eddie.

Made In Dagenham is directed by the Almeida's Artistic Director, Rupert Goold. The creative team also includes One Man, Two Guvnors writer Richard Bean (book), BAFTA and Grammy award winning composer David Arnold (music) and the Olivier Award winning Richard Thomas (lyrics). 

Gemma Arterton & Stephen Mangan to host the Olivier Awards

It has been announced that Gemma Arterton and Stephen Mangan will host the 2014 Olivier Awards. The ceremony is being held on Sunday 13th April at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. Highlights of the event will be broadcast later that evening on ITV.

It was recently revealed that Arterton will star in the new musical adaptation of Made In Dagenham, opening at the Adelphi Theatre later this year. Mangan is currently starring in Jeeves & Wooster In Perfect Nonsense at the Duke Of York's Theatre.

CONFIRMED: Gemma Arterton to star in Made In Dagenham at the Adelphi Theatre

Following previous reports, producers have confirmed that Gemma Arterton will star in the West End premiere of Made In Dagenham. The musical will open at the Adelphi Theatre on Wednesday 5th November (previews from 9th October). Based on the hit British film, Arterton will play Rita O’Grady in the musical comedy opposite Adrian Der Gregorian as her husband Eddie. Tickets are on sale now.

Arterton is "beyond thrilled" to be creating the role of Rita on stage. The international star of stage and screen said: "It’s an important story that I’m passionate about telling, and we intend to tell it with wit, warmth and, of course, a lot of singing and dancing in this production! Roll on October!"

UPDATED: Beverley Knight to star in Memphis, The Bodyguard searching for new West End home & Made In Dagenham to open at the Adelphi

According to the Daily Mail, Beverley Knight will star in the West End premiere of Memphis which is set to open at the Shaftesbury Theatre in October. The performer recently made her West End debut in The Bodyguard to rave reviews, she will leave the production on 31st May.

Memphis opened on Broadway in October 2009 where it ran for 1,165 performances and won 4 Toy Awards including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations.