Made in Dagenham

The Society’s return to the Town Hall with their production of Made in Dagenham was slick, funny, hard-hitting, entertaining with plenty opportunities for the full ensemble throughout.  It is safe to say there was not one weak link on stage as the story of the landmark strike by female sewing machinists at Ford’s Dagenham plant was rolled out.  Fiona Webster’s portrayal of wife, mother and leader of the factory workers Rita O’Grady, was flawless, equally matched by Dale Crombie as the happy-go-lucky husband Eddie.  The O’Grady children, Sharon and Graham, alternated between performances with Maisie Francis and Jack Brown excellently playing the roles on the evening I attended.  This was equally matched by Amelie Livingston and Anthony Mollon in other performances.  Katie Angus was a knock out as the self-assured feisty Barbara Castle, with Eddie Gouther providing a comedic performance portraying the pipe sucking Prime Minister Harold Wilson, attired in the famous ‘Gannex’ coat.  Liam McKinstray made a fine, good hearted union steward representing the factory girls, supported by Alan Bankier and Lewis Milliken as fellow shop stewards Sid and Bill.  In dedicating her life to the labour party and the rights of women, Jenny Keegan gave a strong performance as machinist and shop steward.Kat Campbell elegantly supported and befriended the strikers as Lisa Hopkins contrasting well with Grant Johnson as her refined husband and Managing Director, Jeremy. Suzanne Love brilliantly captured and balanced the character of the balshie and often inappropriate Beryl and was joined by Bethany Markey as the perfect ditsy factory worker Clare with other factory machinists Carolyn Lowry (Cass) and Kathryn Parker (Sandra). All remaining principals joined by the entire cast contributed to the quality of the show. The vocal sound from the stage was simply amazing throughout as was the choreography and the energy generated. This show had all the necessary elements for a highly entertaining musical which was funny, thoughtful and uplifting going beyond the central message but never losing focus. Well done to the production team and the amazing cast in this outstanding production.

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