Made In Dagenham

The hired set for this large stage was impressive with an industrial factory look. We even had a Ford Cortina – or at least half of one. Just a couple of niggles - was the door in the kitchen scene the wrong way round? Why did Big Ben strike when the clock showed 6 minutes past 10? Overall the lighting was a good design by Morgan Jones and sound generally a good balance between cast and orchestra led by Daniel Moulton. All solo singing was excellent but I did find the large ensemble of ladies over-singing sometimes, so clarity was lost in places, but the harmony was tight and blended. Costumes were fitting for the 1960s and helped place the show in the correct setting from the start. Choreography was very good and energetic but one or two of the men struggled a bit with the moves and perhaps consideration could have been given as to how to use those that were not natural dancers without detracting from those that could cope with movement. 

Set in 1968 during Harold Wilson’s time as Prime Minister, when the Labour Party was battling with the trade unions, Made In Dagenham is based on the true story of how the women machinists of Ford went out on strike to get equal pay. This, I am sure is not a hugely accurate depiction of the strike events but the story follows Rita O’Grady (Sophie Wallace), a normal working mum, who finds herself the unwitting leader of the strike over pay scales. With strong vocals, Sophie managed the balance of wife, mother and feisty activist with ease. Rita faced the male-dominated unions and the might of Ford and it’s American representative Mr. Tooley (Simon Judd). Simon did a great job of becoming the unlikeable, manipulative Yank (the audience even booed him at curtain call!) Rita’s husband Eddie (David Hynes) disapproved of her actions and David displayed great depth in the conflict with a very emotional rendering of  ‘The Letter’. The group of girls who supported Rita: Beryl (June Fuller), Sandra (Becky Histed) Clare (Sophie Nightingale) Cass (Eva Slaney) and Connie (Jo Phypers) created their own individual characters and carried them off to perfection. Rita and the girls went right to the top and put their case before Prime Minister, Harold Wilson (Chris Henderson), portrayed in rather a comical fashion and supported by his dancing civil servants (Melissa Lucy, Heidi Cripps and Charlotte Campbell). I would like to have seen the letters ‘HMC’ on your individual cases displayed the right way round instead of ‘CMH’! Jane Morgan was excellent as ‘The Employment Secretary’ Barbara Castle. Rita and the girls met her before going on to put their case before the TUC. The group of men were equally first class in their individual characterisations, whether being officials or on the shop floor. We must not forget George Dunbar, Savannah Savage, Elena Teubler and Zachary Scarborough as the O’Grady children, who shared performances – good job kids!
  
David Street and his production team, must be congratulated for putting together this extraordinary musical, it defied all expectations. It is a musical that shows how far we have come for women’s equality but we still have a long way to go! 

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