The strike is growing in London's West End! Actor and comedian Steve Furst will join the previously announced Gemma Arterton and Adrian Der Gregorian in Made in Dagenham, based on the 2010 film of the same name. Furst will play U.S. Ford executive Mr. Tooley. The tuner will feature music by David Arnold, lyrics by Richard Thomas and a book by Richard Bean. Performances, under the direction of Rupert Goold, will begin on October 9 at the Adelphi Theatre. Opening night is set for November 5.
Furst has appeared on the West End stage previously as Mr. Wormwood in Matilda. He is known for his performance in the series The Legend of Dick and Dom and as a panelist on The Wright Stuff.
The cast of the musical comedy will also include 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.
Additional cast members include 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 follows Rita O’Grady (Arterton), a woman in 1960s Essex who is just trying to get her husband Eddie (Der Gregorian) 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 sewing room of Ford’s Dagenham car plant will have their pay grade dropped to “unskilled.” 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 supposed to protect them. As the girls’ inspiring journey gets bigger than anyone could have imagined, the pressure is too much for some, but can Rita keep up the fight and the happy home she’s worked so hard for?