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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Wikipedia info

Made in Dagenham Costume Hire – Full Show Packages

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.

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Complete Package

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 image seen in the production visuals

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.

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.

Synopsis

Made in Dagenham is an uplifting British musical inspired by the true story of the Ford sewing machinists’ strike of 1968.

Set in Essex, the story follows Rita O’Grady, an ordinary working mother whose life changes dramatically when the women at 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.

Key Characters

Rita O’Grady – determined and relatable, with practical 1960s styling
Eddie O’Grady – rooted in working-class family life
Connie, Sandra, Beryl and Clare – the stitching room ensemble
Barbara Castle – strong political presence
Harold Wilson – recognisable period styling
Mr Hopkins – classic factory authority figure

Iconic Costume Moments

• Ford factory overalls and stitching room scenes
• Authentic 1960s British workwear
• Political and union scenes with strong contrast
• Rita’s evolving stage presence
• Ensemble styling that brings Essex and the factory floor to life

Designed for Performance

This collection is built for practical theatre use as well as visual authenticity — allowing movement, quick changes and strong stage presence throughout.

Delivery & Collection – UK, Ireland & Europe

• Delivered on hangers in labelled garment bags
• Barcoded for easy identification
• Organised and ready to go straight onto your rails
• No sorting required

Backstage Guide: Allow approximately one 6ft rail per 25 costumes.

The Thespis Difference

• Full-show specialists
• Strong period authenticity
• Original sourced garments where appropriate
• Delivered organised and performance-ready

Let us dress you.

Booking Information

• Standard hire period: 10 days
• Additional days available pro-rata
• 25% deposit secures booking
• £500 refundable security deposit applies

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