Portlaoise musical society cranks into gear for 2023 show with tickets and cast

Portlaoise Musical Society were in party mood on Culture Night in Portlaoise to officially launch the sale of tickets for what they promise will be a sensational 2023 show, ‘Made in Dagenham’.

Committee members, cast and crew gathered at the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Friday, September 22 to mark the lunch of tickets for the show which runs at the same venue from November 18 to 25 this year.

Based on a true story, Made in Dagenham explores the movement that caused a significant law reform in the UK. Rita O'Grady (a fictional character) leads the 1968 Ford sewing machinists strike at the Ford Dagenham plant, where female workers walk out to protest sexual discrimination, demanding equal pay.

The strike drew major attention around the world because it was considered contrary to women's traditional family roles. The successful strike led to the Equal Pay Act 1970. 

The launch of the ticket sales follows quickly from the cast confirmation following auditions.

Here is your cast:

• Rita O'Grady - Aoife Digan,
• Eddie O'Grady - Eoghan Fingleton,
• Barbara Castle - Dawn Kavanagh,
• Beryl - Helen Flynn,
• Connie McNamara - Sharon McNamara,
• Clare - Laoise O'Connell,
• Sandra Beaumont- Ciara Finlay,
• Cass - Kerry Carroll Talbot,
• Hack - Derek McGinn,
• Cortina Man - Aidan McColgan,
• Bill - Jamie O'Callaghan,
• Stan - Paul Kenna,
• Sid - Dylan Kerry,
• Lisa Hopkins - Aoife Fingleton,
• Mr Hubble & Chubby Chuff - JJ Tynan,
• Sharon O'Grady - Aoife Cathcart,
• Harold Wilson – Rory Chadwick,
• Monty - Andrew Docherty,
• Mr Tooley – Andrew Cathcart,
• Mr Hopkins - Johnny Mulhare,
• Ron Macer – tbc,
• Barry - Conor Harte,
• Graham O'Grady - Oliver Treacy,
• Emma – Hillary Treacy,
• Tracey - Claire Kelly,
• Rachel - Suzanne O'Connor.

Supporting roles by: Colin Fitzpatrick, Dylan Kerry, Jamie O'Callaghan, Liam McNulty, Cathal O'Sullivan, Alex Cathcart & JJ Tynan.

The production team: Director - Art McGauran, Musical Director - Mary Rose McNally, Choreographer - Stephanie Browne. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

"We’re 99% there having reached first gear in our 2023 show ‘Made in Dagenham’!" say the society.

In PICTURES: Celebration of Culture around Laois

Congrats to all of our cast members. ‘Made in Dagenham’ is based on the Woolley/Karlsen/Number 9 Motion Pictures.

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International.