The hugely acclaimed, feel-good musical ‘Made In Dagenham’ – which sees women fighting for their rights at a Ford car plant circa 1968 – is motoring into Darlington this October.

I love the 2010 film ‘Made in Dagenham’, but I REALLY love the musical of the same name. The tale – based on a true story – is a rousing one, but it’s given extra oomph by David Arnold’s glorious music, which is complimented by some fantastically witty lyrics by Richard Thomas. If you’re not au fait with the goings-on at the Ford factory in the swinging sixties then you should know that the story concerns Rita O’Grady. When the plant reduces the female workers’ pay, it’s Rita who leads her friends into battle against the mighty company and the corrupt union that’s supposed to be protecting them. It’s very funny, but it’s also touching and heart-lifting as ‘ordinary’ people band together to fight for their rights. This production comes courtesy of the always brilliant DarlingtonOS who have been responsible for staging some of the biggest hits of recent years such as ‘Shrek’, ‘Footloose’ and ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’. Get in the fast lane for your ticket for this one. DP

Made in Dagenham: The Musical, 23 October-2 November, Darlington Hippodrome, 7.30pm (Sat mat 2pm), from £20 (under 16 £16), darlingtonoperaticsociety.org.uk