Principals
Rita O’Grady
Eddie O’Grady
Mr Tooley
Prime Minister Harold Wilson
Barbara Castle
Connie
Monty
Beryl
Clare
Sandra
Mr Hopkins
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Full Show Costume Hire from Thespis
Our Made in Dagenham costume hire collection captures the look, energy and determination of 1968 with a full-show wardrobe package built to reflect the spirit of this uplifting British musical.
From factory-floor overalls and period daywear to bold 1960s styling and carefully sourced original pieces, the collection has been designed to bring the world of Dagenham vividly to life. There is plenty of authenticity here too — right down to the Ford badges on the workers’ overalls. You can almost hear the clatter of the sewing room and the cough of an old Cortina trying to start on a damp Essex morning.
Designed for schools, theatre groups and ambitious productions, this is a complete costume package that delivers a consistent, character-led and unmistakably British stage picture from start to finish.
This is a full-show costume hire, giving your production a cohesive and authentic 1960s look across principals and ensemble.
• Principal character costumes
• Ford factory worker overalls and stitching room looks
• 1960s British daywear and workwear
• Union, office and political character styling
• Accessories and finishing details where appropriate including the large white Ford Cortina E picture seen in the images
Our collection includes carefully sourced period garments and original pieces that help create the look and feel of late-1960s Essex, with all the colour, texture and practicality the show needs. Think less showroom shine, more tea breaks, grit and determination — with just enough period flair to make the stage feel alive.
If your Rita is the right fit, there may even be the opportunity to use the original dress worn by Gemma Arterton in the 2014 production, bringing an extra layer of theatrical history to your show.
Made in Dagenham is an uplifting British musical comedy inspired by the true story of the Ford sewing machinists’ strike of 1968.
Set in Essex, the show follows Rita O’Grady, an ordinary working mother whose life changes dramatically when the women in Ford’s Dagenham plant are told their work is to be downgraded as “unskilled”. What begins as frustration in the factory becomes a much larger fight for dignity, fairness and equal pay.
Funny, warm and deeply inspiring, the musical balances friendship, family life and political struggle, telling the story of women who refused to be pushed aside and ended up helping change history.
Rita O’Grady – Warm, determined and relatable, with practical 1960s styling
Eddie O’Grady – Rita’s husband, rooted in working-class family life
Connie, Sandra, Beryl and Clare – The women of the stitching room, each with distinct personality and period character detail
Barbara Castle – Smart, confident and politically sharp
Harold Wilson – Period political styling with recognisable character presentation
Mr Hopkins – Factory authority figure with classic workplace tailoring
The ensemble is essential in creating the wider world of the factory, family homes, union meetings and public scenes that give the show its scale and momentum.
• Ford factory overalls and stitching room scenes
• Authentic 1960s British workwear and daywear
• Political and union scenes with strong period contrast
• Rita’s journey through increasingly confident and central stage looks
• Ensemble styling that brings Essex, the factory floor and the era vividly to life
This is a show where costume helps ground the story in a very specific time and place, while still keeping the heart, humour and humanity front and centre.
This collection has been built for practical theatre use as well as visual authenticity. Costumes are designed to read clearly under stage lighting, allow movement through busy ensemble scenes, and support the lively, fast-moving tone of the production.
Made in Dagenham works best when it feels rooted, recognisable and real. Our wardrobe helps create exactly that — with enough period detail to satisfy the eye, and enough character to avoid anything feeling stiff or museum-like.
• Delivered on hangers in labelled garment bags
• Barcoded for easy identification
• Organised and ready to go straight onto your rails
• No unnecessary sorting required on arrival
Where possible, deliveries are handled by our own Thespis team using our vans, helping ensure everything arrives ready for a smooth handover.
Backstage Space Guide:
Allow approximately one 6ft rail per 25 costumes, depending on cast size and costume volume.
• Full-show specialist for a consistent stage presentation
• Strong focus on authenticity, period detail and character
• Original and carefully sourced garments where appropriate
• High-quality costumes maintained to a professional standard
• Delivered organised and performance-ready
Let us dress you.
We are proud to have supplied costumes connected with major productions of Made in Dagenham, including notable London performances. Our collection includes a particularly special piece associated with Rita O’Grady, originally worn by Gemma Arterton in the 2014 production.
It is not every day that a costume gets the chance to return to the same stage, for the same show, years later — and that sort of story is exactly the kind of detail we love being able to share with our clients.
• Standard hire period: 10 days
• Additional days available on a pro-rata basis
• 25% deposit secures your booking
• £500 refundable security deposit applies
As a strong title for schools and theatre groups alike, early booking is recommended, particularly where larger casts are involved.
Do you offer full-show Made in Dagenham costume hire?
Yes — we specialise in full-show costume hire to create a consistent and authentic stage appearance throughout the production.
Are the costumes period accurate?
Yes — the collection reflects late-1960s British styling, with carefully sourced garments and strong attention to detail.
Do the factory costumes include Ford-style detailing?
Yes — details such as authentic-looking Ford badges help strengthen the factory-floor realism of the production.
Is this suitable for schools and theatre groups?
Yes — the show works very well for both schools and theatre companies, and the collection is designed to support productions of varying scale.
How are the costumes delivered?
All costumes are supplied on hangers in named garment bags, barcoded and organised to save valuable time when they arrive.
Is the Gemma Arterton costume available?
Potentially, yes — subject to fit and production requirements. Please ask when enquiring.
If you are planning Made in Dagenham, you may also be interested in:
Hairspray Costume Hire
Legally Blonde Costume Hire
Sunset Boulevard Costume Hire
Sister Act Costume Hire
If you are planning a production of Made in Dagenham, we would be delighted to help.
Please contact us with your production dates, venue and cast size for a tailored quote.
About us and what to expect from Thespis
