The new musical, which has a book by Richard Bean, music by David Arnold and lyrics by Richard Thomas, is described as such: "Essex 1968. Like millions of other workingwomen, each morning Rita O’Grady is just trying to get her husband out of bed, get the kids off to school and get to work at the factory on time. But life is about to change forever when it’s announced that the girls in the stitching room of Ford’s Dagenham car plant will have their pay grade dropped to ‘unskilled’. Quickly drawing on a strength she never knew she had, Rita leads her friends in a battle against the might of Ford and the corruption of the Union supposed to protect them. As the girls’ inspiring journey gets bigger than anyone could have imagined, the pressure is too much for some, but can Rita keep up the fight and the happy home she’s worked so hard for?"

Stage veteran Isla Blair has been newly announced to play Connie, and David Cardy will play Monty.

Blair, who made her stage debut in the original London company of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in 1963 as Philia, has appeared in seasons at the Royal Shakespeare Company and with the Prospect Theatre Company at the Old Vic. She has appeared in the West End in The History Boys and was most recently seen on the London stage in the U.K. premiere of The Lyons at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Cardy's recent West End credits include Ghost Stories and Dreamboats and Petticoats. He appeared on TV as Chris Theodopolopodus in the hit comedy series "Birds of a Feather."

Blair and Cady join the previously announced Gemma Arterton and Adrian der Gregorian, who, respectively, play Rita O'Grady and her husband Eddie, Steve Furst as U.S. Ford Executive Mr. Tooley, Mark Hadfield as Harold Wilson and Sophie-Louise Dann as Barbara Castle. Also in featured roles are Sophie Stanton as Beryl, Heather Craney as Clare, Sophie Isaacs as Sandra, Julius D'Silva playing Ford Dagenham boss Mr. Hopkins and Naomi Frederick as his wife Lisa.

The cast will also include 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.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 020 3725 7060 or visit MadeInDagenhamTheMusical.com.