Behind the Scenes with Lou Ellison: Bringing Rita O'Grady to Life

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. 

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