Made in Dagenham

I was welcomed by the President, Edna Mountstephen and the Director, Lucy Weaver. Made In Dagenham tells the true story of the women working at the Ford plant at Dagenham in 1968 who fought the company, and the male workers, for equal pay and eventually won their case.

The hired set was striking and included stairs to an upper level and an ability to swiftly change scenes to Rita’s kitchen, to the bedroom and to the factory. Congratulations to the Company Stage Manager, LucySzmyr and all the stage crew for seamlessly (and quietly) moving the scenes and props on and off stage. It was very effective. The band were sited in a corner towards the back of the stage and, under an accomplished Musical Director Franky Garland, was very well balanced with some notable melodies and achieved just the right sound level to support the singers.

The cast all performed extremely well and there were memorable performances from the leading characters. Katie Barnett, as Rita O’Grady the leader of the women’s movement, was outstanding, both in her acting, dancing and singing. I especially enjoyed her singing of “Busy Woman” and “I’m Sorry I Love You” with husband Eddie, played by Dave Richardson. Dave interpreted this part well, unable to understand why his wife had to lead the women’s movement and strike, eventually taking on the Government. Dave and Katie were well cast as this couple. The two union leaders, Connie, played by Sam Slim and Monty, played by Steve Salmon, each bought their own perspectives to the differing roles. Connie was a bit of a firebrand, until she was ill and eventually died, and Monty found it hard to deal with the women. Both played their roles with great enthusiasm.

I loved Katie Johnson playing Barbara Castle. Appointed by Prime Minister Harold Wilson to “sort out” the industrial unrest, Katie’s portrayal was so accurate, her mannerisms, voice, phrases and indeed looks were the epitome of Barbara Castle, a real “no nonsense, let’s get the job done” woman. Well done, Katie. Sam McCarthy, as Harold Wilson, resplendent in “the raincoat” captured the mannerisms of the former prime minister very well and was the perfect foil to Katie. I also enjoyed very much Cassie Weston, as Lisa Hopkins, the wife of the factory manager who, in spite of her rather superior position, became “one of the girls” and actively encouraged Rita, Connie and the rest of the girls in their quest for equality.

All the cast performed well and with great enthusiasm and the singing was excellent.. The musical numbers were well rehearsed and well delivered and contributed to the storyline. I thought that Tooley (Steve Church) performed”This is America”really well at the beginning of Act Two.

I was struck with the amount of movement on stage by all the actors and how well all areas of the stage were used. The choreography ( Ashleigh Masters and Dance Captain Jessica Hewett) was fast and everyone on stage moved and the named character dancers were all very polished.

The sound (Wesley Lang) and lighting (Anthony Downer) achieved just the right effects and balance throughout.

Costumes (managed by Lucy Weaver) were very appropriate to the time period, as were the wigs, hair and makeup.

Finally, I congratulate the very talented Director, Lucy Weaver, for her creativity and vision and sheer hard work for this production which brought the whole storyline alive for me.

It was a most enjoyable evening and I could see that the audience really appreciated this musical.

Well done to everyone involved in any way.

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