Parker Bullen, the leading local law firm, have comitted to sponsoring the Andover Musical Theatre produciton of "Made in Dagenham." This sponsorship not only underscores Parker Bullen's dedication to supporting the local arts community but also reflects their unwavering commitment to fostering a work environment that values employee wellbeing and workplace equality.

As part of its sponsorship, Parker Bullen is honored to support Andrew Marshall, Wills and Probate Executive, in his involvement with the production. Recognising the importance of allowing staff to pursue their interests outside of work, Parker Bullen stands behind Andrew and the cast of Made in Dagenham as they endeavor to contribute to the vibrant cultural landscape of Andover. 

"We believe in empowering our team members to pursue their passions beyond the confines of the workplace," stated Gareth Horner, Managing Partner at Parker Bullen. "Andrew's involvement in 'Made in Dagenham' is a great example of our firm encouraging our employees' diverse talents and interests, and it's great to be in a position to support Andover Musical Theatre Company."

For more information about Parker Bullen and its commitment to supporting its staff and community, visit www.parkerbullen.com.

In this weeks blog we go behind the scenes with Lou Ellison, playing the lead role of Rita O'Grady in Made in Dagenham. With rehearsals in full swing, Lou tells us how she is hoping to do this iconic character justice, and  which song she can't listen to without crying. Lou has been a member of Andover Musical Theatre Company for 18 years and this is her 7th lead role! 

Q:What drew you to the role of Rita O'Grady in "Made in Dagenham"?
Portraying Rita O'Grady is a dream come true. I was lucky enough to see Gemma Arterton play the role in the West End too, and this has always been on my bucket list of roles! Rita's strength, resilience, and unwavering determination resonated with me deeply from the first time I watched the film. Rita is a working-class woman who finds her voice and leads a movement for equality, and I felt a strong connection to her journey.

Q: How did you prepare for such a demanding role?
Preparation for any role is intense but incredibly rewarding. For this show, we obviously have the challenge of doing the Essex accent which is quite fun so lots of time spent watching Youtube videos for the dialect, but we are also lucky to have the lovely Rachel, an authentic Essex girl, playing the role of Beryl, to help us!

In rehearsals we have spent a lot of time exploring Rita's emotional journey and the complexities of her relationships with other characters in the story, and Eddie and I go through our lines, trying out different ways of saying things, according to the emotion of the moment. Outside of rehearsals, I like to learn my lines by recording them and listening whilst walking the dog. I also practice the singing with my vocal coach Lisa Faye Broadhead; she helps me with warms-ups and vocal exercises and planning how to approach the songs, especially the more challenging ones.  

Q: "Made in Dagenham" tackles important themes of gender equality and workers' rights. How do you think the production resonates with audiences today?
The themes explored in "Made in Dagenham" are as relevant today as they were in the 1960s. The fight for gender equality and fair treatment in the workplace is an ongoing struggle, and the story of the Ford sewing machinists serves as a powerful reminder of the progress that has been made and the work that still needs to be done. I know I have worked in a number of places where women were treated like second class citizens, and there have been disparities in pay grades between men and women. Whether it's standing up against injustice, fighting for what you believe in, or finding strength in solidarity, there's something in the story of Made in Dagenham that resonates with everyone.

Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of portraying Rita O'Grady?
Rita's is courageous and determined, and I've been deeply moved by her story, both as as a woman who has experienced similar mistreatment, but also as a mother; there is so much of her journey I can relate to.  There has definitely been a lot of emotion in rehearsals; I can't listen to "The Letter" without shedding a tear, but there has been a lot of laughter too - the scenes with the factory girls have been really fun to do. 

Being part of a production with amtc is always rewarding, but for Made in Dagenham, it feels like everyone is working extra hard - we've already set the entire show and now have 6 weeks to keep drilling and perfecting it. I'm loving playing opposite my co-star Eddie Nias, we've been friends since I joined amtc 2006 and I really admire him as an actor. I've learnt so much from him during the rehearsal procosess and look forward to sharing the stage with him.  

Q: Finally, what message do you hope audiences take away from "Made in Dagenham"?
I hope that audiences walk away from "Made in Dagenham" feeling uplifted, inspired and empowered to make a difference in their own lives and communities. Whether it's advocating for gender equality, standing up against injustice, or simply finding the courage to speak your truth, Rita's story reminds us that change is possible when we come together and fight for what we believe in. I also hope that the show serves as a celebration of the strength and resilience of working-class women throughout history. Their contributions often go unrecognized, but their stories deserve to be told and celebrated.

Tickets for Made in Dagenham are on sale now. Book via ticket tailor or the lights.

Our thanks to Parker Bullen solicitors, sponsors of Made in Dagenham. 

As our cast are deep in rehearsals for Made in Dagenham, a show that addresses themese of inequality, particularly for women in the workplace, we thought it fitting to write a blog exploring the events that led to the women of the Ford Dagenham plant walking out on strike and the current state of play with regard to the gender pay gap.

In 1968, the Ford Dagenham factory in the UK became the focal point of a significant movement for gender equality in the workplace, which eventually led to the passing of the Equal Pay Act.

The story begins with the female workers at the Ford Dagenham plant, who were responsible for stitching car seat covers. Despite performing work of equal value to their male counterparts in other departments, they were classified as "unskilled" and paid significantly less. Fed up with this disparity, the women organised a strike in protest of the unfair treatment.

Barbara Castle, the then UK Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, played a crucial role in mediating the dispute between the striking women and Ford management. Castle recognized the injustice faced by these women and was determined to address the issue of pay inequality. She supported the demand for equal pay for equal work and became an advocate for the cause.

Additionally, the Trades Union Congress (TUC), a federation of trade unions in the UK, threw its weight behind the Dagenham women's strike. The TUC recognized the broader implications of the fight for equal pay and offered its support to the striking workers.

The strike garnered significant public attention and generated widespread support, putting pressure on both Ford and the government to take action. Ultimately, the strike played a pivotal role in the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1970 in the UK Parliament. This landmark legislation made it illegal to pay women less than men for the same work or work of equal value.

The Ford Dagenham strike and the subsequent passing of the Equal Pay Act marked significant milestones in the ongoing struggle for gender equality in the workplace, setting a precedent for future movements and legislation aimed at combating pay discrimination.

​International Women's Day, celebrated annually on March 8th, has served as a platform to highlight the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while also calling attention to areas where progress is still needed. It reminds us of the ongoing fight for gender equality worldwide. In the UK, strides have been made since the passage of the Equal Pay Act, with more women entering the workforce, gaining access to education and leadership positions, and advocating for their rights. However, gender disparities persist in various sectors, including pay, representation in senior roles, and access to opportunities. Women still face challenges such as the gender pay gap, workplace discrimination, and underrepresentation in certain industries.  The gender pay gap in the UK stands at around 15.5%, based on the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. This figure represents the difference between the average hourly earnings of men and women across all jobs in the UK. However, it's important to note that the gender pay gap can vary depending on factors such as age, occupation, industry, and region.

Similarly, on a global scale, while progress has been made in some regions, gender inequality remains a pervasive issue, with women disproportionately affected by poverty, violence, lack of access to education and healthcare, and limited economic opportunities. Efforts to address these inequalities continue through advocacy, policy changes, and grassroots movements aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering women worldwide.

Made in Dagenham is on stage at The Lights theatre Andover, from Wednesday 22nd May through to Saturday 25th May 2024. BOOK NOW!

Musical phenomenon Priscilla Queen of The Desert comes to The Lights, Andover this November, brought to you by Andover Musical Theatre Company.    
    
Quite the contrast from our last production we are back with a bang this winter, with our next show: Priscilla Queen of The Desert. This is one of the biggest productions we have ever undertaken, you will not want to miss this one.

With a host of your favourite musical numbers, this show will have you grooving in the aisles. Based on the popular 1994 movie, Priscilla Queen of The Desert tells the story of two drag queens, Tick (Paul Marsh) and Adam (Sebastian Blake) and a transgender woman, Bernadette (Ed Nias), as they travel across Australia in their rather unreliable bus, Priscilla.      
     
The flamboyant Australian trio encounter many hurdles, including people who don’t welcome them with open arms. However, in an attempt to put on the greatest show on earth (on top of Ayers Rock, no less) they overcome adversities and demonstrate how love conquers all.          
     
Their story is soundtracked by three soulful Divas played by Rachel Fitzgerald, Lou Ellison and Laura Bean. The Divas belt familiar chart-toppers such as ‘It’s Raining Men’, ‘Hot Stuff’ and ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’, making the audience feel as if they’ve known the story all along.

This is a show full of celebration of differences, similarities, love, family and living life to the fullest. With three loveable leads, heart-wrenching moments and some surprising events, this is a spectacle for the eyes and ears!    

Grab your heels, your feather boa and shake your groove thing! Don’t miss out on the theatrical event of the year! Grab your tickets here! 
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Please note there is an age guidance on this show of 15+ but this is at the discretion of the parents/guardians. ​

If you are an adult aged 18+and would like to join us to perform in our upcoming production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, here is the information you need about auditions...

Intro evening
Date: 7.30pm on  Tuesday 13th June
Venue: The Lights, Andover

Please join us for a talk with the Director, Carol Robinson, and Musical Director, Colin Gray, along with the production team, introducing our vision for Priscilla  Queen of the Desert.  This is an opportunity to meet our members and find out all about the roles, expectations and audition cuts for the show. 

Pre-audition rehearsals
Anyone is welcome to come along on audition days, but you will benefit from attending the pre-audition rehearsals, which will take place at The Lights theatre, Andover, on Thursday 15th, Tuesday 20th,  Thursday 22nd, Tuesday 27th and Thursday 29th June. If you would like to attend, please get in touch with our membership officer by email membership@andovermusicaltheatre.co.uk or message us via our Facebook page. 

Audition day
Date: Sunday 2nd July 10am onwards
(exact timings will be published on our Facebook page once we know who is auditioning)
Venue: Rookwood School, Weyhill Road, Andover

If you would like to audition, please complete the audition form, prior to attending, this must be submitted before 10am on Saturday 1st July 2023.

Audition fee for non-members
If you are not yet a member of AMTC, an non-refundable audition fee of £10 is payable on the day.
Should you choose to become a member, this fee is credited towards your first month of membership. 

Membership fees
To join Andover Musical Theatre Company you must pay an annual membership of £120 - this can be paid monthly in instalments by standing order.  

Performance fee
If you are successfully cast in this production, there will be a performance fee payable of £50. 
This can be paid in installments if necessary - just speak to our Treasurer.  

Outline rehearsal schedule
The cast are generally called for rehearsal every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7.30pm-10pm, Studio 1 at The Lights, Andover. Please arrive promptly. A full rehearsal schedule will be published in due course. 
If you have any existing commitments, holidays booked etc, please let the Director know in advance. 

Both 17, William and Bethany are perfectly cast to star in the hit musical 'Footloose', which is set to rock The Lights from 30th November - 3rd December 2022.

"As soon as it was announced I knew I wanted to be involved.  Although the dancing has been tricky!" says Will. "I've really enjoyed the process of learning to dance and put in a lot of effort to make it look as natural as possible!" So it's no surprise that Will, who will be going on to study Vocal Musical Performance at the Royal Conservatoire, was cast as Ren McCormick, the teenager from Chicago who finds himself at odds with most of the town of Bomont, including the Reverend Shaw-Moore, who is the father of his love interest, Ariel.   

The break out stars of the show, in their first lead roles are appearing in their first adult production together and after the unexpected break for COVID...it has been a long wait.  

"I've been involved with Starlights since their first production and so I always wanted to be involved" Bethany mentions.  I love to dance and thought Ariel was a really cool character.  It's been an intense character to play, plus she's very confident."

Both William and Bethany agree that their favourite scenes are some of the most emotional points of the show.  "The show deals with some serious topics and Ariel's character goes through a lot of emotive issues,   especially the scenes with my Dad." 

Will agrees "Some of the most poignant parts of the show are some of the more simple scenes between the characters and we've worked really hard on making these as powerful as possible."

However, despite some of the more emotional parts of the show, there is lots of fun to be had with classic 80's hits including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear It For The Boy and of course the unforgettable title track Footloose.

​"It is such a fun show, everyone is loving the songs and the dancing.  It's a really fun and emotional show". mentions Bethany.  "There are songs everyone will know and will be tapping their foot to for sure" says Will.  

Tickets are still available for the show, performing between Wednesday 30th November - Saturday 3rd December (7:30pm) with a matinee on Saturday 3rd December (2:30pm).  To book your tickets now, go to The Lights Box Office at www.thelights.org.uk or call 01264 368368.   



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"I've been in the society 10 years and this is my second time playing a vicar...I've been told this role is particularly suited to me as he's a very serious and grumpy man, I just don't want to become typecast!" Martin exclaims with a smile and his tongue very much in his cheek.

Martin is a stalwart of AMTC and has previously played a vicar in Witches of Eastwick, alongside a variety of other characters from Mr Bumble in Oliver,  Mr Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors and most recently, King Arthur in Spamalot.  After taking a break due to lockdown and helping as Stage Manager in subsequent shows, Martin was eager to get back on stage in 'Footloose', which see's both the adult and their youth company 'Starlights' come together to bring this production to life.

This time though, Martin is transforming from his day job as a headmaster to play Reverend Shaw Moore, the central figure of Bomont and a key character to the story.

"Reverend Moore is a very serious character who has tried to bury his sons grief.  It requires him to be very serious throughout the show, and you see him go on a real journey.  I have some really great scenes with many of the characters such as Becky Rungen who is playing my wife Vi and some really nice dialogue with Ariel, my daughter played by Bethany Griffiths, and then Ren, played by William Swinnerton, too. I usually play roles with a bit more singing and a bit less dialogue, so remembering all of my lines has been the biggest challenge this time around!"

With not long left to go until opening night and the final rehearsals under way, Martin comments "It's going really well and everything is coming together now.  It is going to be a brilliant show, you need to make sure you don't miss this one!"

Tickets are now on sale for Footloose at The Lights, on between Wednesday 30th November - Saturday 3rd December (7:30pm) with a matinee on Saturday 3rd December (2:30pm).  To book your tickets now, go to The Lights Box Office at www.thelights.org.uk or call 01264 368368.