Comedian and former Matilda The Musical star Steve Furst is to join big screen actress Gemma Arterton and Adrian Der Gregorian in the musical stage adaptation of Made In Dagenham.
Furst, well known for his comedy creation Lenny Beige, will play US Ford Executive Mr Tooley in the musical that brings the tale of a group of women’s fight against the American car giant to the stage.
Also joining the cast are Jeeves And Wooster In Perfect Nonsense star Mark Hadfield, Forbidden Broadway’s Sophie-Louise Dann, Royal Shakespeare Company regular Julius D’Silva and Naomi Frederick, who boasts extensive credits at the National Theatre.
The production, which is based on a hit British film, opens at the Adelphi Theatre on 5 November, following previews from 9 October.
Set in 1968, Made In Dagenham revolves around Rita O’Grady, a woman, wife and mother whose life could change forever when she and her colleagues in the stitching room of Ford’s Dagenham car plant are informed that their pay grade will drop. Rallying to fight for their rights, they embark on a battle with a multinational company, but will the pressure prove too much?
The cast for the Rupert Goold-directed musical, which features songs written by Bond composer David Arnold and Jerry Springer The Opera’s Richard Thomas – you can hear the first track from the show Everybody Out here – is completed by Sophie Stanton, Heather Craney, Sophie Isaacs, 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.
Speaking about the production, director Goold said: “We have in this show some of the best original music around and a cracking script and to know that it will be performed by this multi-talented, wonderful, diverse, rowdy bunch of actors makes me keener than ever to get into the rehearsal room.”