IT’S back to the swinging 60s as the award-winning Highcliffe Charity Players get groovy with their latest musical.

Made in Dagenham is the inspiring, heart-warming story about a group of Dagenham female factory workers who made history fighting for women’s rights against the might of Ford.

The production is staged at the Regent Centre, Christchurch, for five performances from Wednesday July 26 to Saturday July 29, sponsored by local Ford dealers, Keith Motors.

Adapted from the much-loved 2010 British film, this fun-filled, high octane, feel-good show was inspired by true-life events – the 1968 women sewing machinists’ strike at the Ford Motor Company’s Dagenham plant in Essex, which would lead to the Equal Pay Act of 1970.

The show is written by playwright Richard Bean (One Man, Two Guvnors) with a catchy rock and pop score from Grammy Award-winning British composer David Arnold (Sherlock, Little Britain, Independence Day and Quantum of Solace) and lyrics by Richard Thomas (Jerry Springer:The Opera).

The story follows Rita O’Grady, a working woman and mother, who leads Dagenham’s feisty sewing machinists on their life-changing journey from factory floor to the House of Commons, fighting for sexual equality in ‘60s Britain.

HCP chairman Georgina Smith said: “Made In Dagenham has a rousing, toe-tapping sixties’ beat and very witty lyrics. It’s an energetic, funny and moving show that makes you laugh and cry in equal measures – just perfect for HCP!”

The cast is led by HCP’s Beth Chumley as Rita who said: “I feel absolutely honoured to be playing such a strong-willed character in such a moving show – I can’t wait!”

Tickets are £14.50, concessions £13.50, from the Regent Centre Box Office, 01202 499199 and online at regentcentre.co.uk