AN award-winning actress from Leigh has joined a 30-strong cast starring in Made in Dagenham as the musical returns to its Essex roots.

Wendy Morgan, an actor-musician from Leigh, who is also active on the Essex arts scene, is taking on the role of plucky Ford factory worker Connie in the first-ever professional revival of the play since its West End triumph.

Wendy said: “It is wonderful to be part of a production about such an important part of our local history.

“Essex has been my home for about 20 years and it’s fantastic to be in a musical that puts this crucial movement of solidarity and equality in the spotlight – and the fact it happened just a few miles down the road makes it even more special.”

Wendy’s award-winning career has seen her previously work in theatre, music, film and television.

She won the Evening Standard Most Promising Newcomer Award for the John Schlesinger movie Yanks and starred in Granada’s Jewel in the Crown.

Wendy is also behind a ukulele duo, the Ukuledes, and sings in the Sixties-style girl band the Starlettes, who gig regularly around Essex.

Made in Dagenham is inspired by the iconic story of the female sewing machinists’ strike at the Ford Dagenham factory, which eventually led to the Equal Pay Act.

Set in 1968, Rita’s a busy mum, loving wife and hard-working Ford factory employee. but Rita and her female colleagues find themselves working long hours sewing car seats for far less money than the men.

Finding a voice she never knew she had, Rita leads the women on a trailblazing battle for equal pay, taking on the unions, Ford’s top brass and the government.

As the pressure mounts, Rita struggles to keep up the fight and the happy home she’s worked so hard for.

The show will be staged at the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch from Friday, August 26 and the theatre said it is delighted to be able to bring the musical back to its roots – just six miles away from the Ford plant in which it is set.

Director Douglas Rintoul said: “This is a real home-coming, a wonderful chance for us to relive a momentous piece of our area’s history.

“This play will now have its regional premiere in the most fitting location – a producing theatre a stone’s throw away from the Ford plant.

“It’s a brilliant launch for our autumn season – a fantastically large-scale, uplifting musical filling our stage, featuring wonderful actor-musicianship and choreography, and celebrating the achievements of local people.”

Other actors featured in the show include Angela Bain, Daniella Bowen, Daniel Carter-Hope, and Dan de Cruz.

The show runs until September 17 and tickets are from £12.50 to £30.

Call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or book online at queens-theatre.co.uk