Made In Dagenham

After a number of productions with a very strong focus on male story lines, Darlington Operatic Society’s latest show firmly put the Female members of the group on the frontfoot.

Made in Dagenham tells the story of the female workers at the Essex based Ford factory and their fight for equal rights and a battle for pay equality with their male counterparts. 

Whilst the musical is full of huge numbers and a wonderful score, the real depth to this production is in the actors' understanding of the deeper meaning in the story and DOS really managed to capture this. Whether through the strength of empowerment in the female characters, the male characters' understanding of the stress the whole families were under, and the whole company managing to make the story, set in the 50’s, seem current today. Darlington’s vast depth of talented performers managed to nail every single aspect of the themes in the show.

I mentioned to the cast that equality is such a keyword, not only to the story but also to the cast as this was a united group of performers all uniting to make this show slick and powerful. Every single member was perfect in their role whether an ensemble member or a lead - quite simply, take one member away and the show would have been weaker - very similar to a strike action - more powerful when together.

Of course it is natural that a show will revolve around main characters and DOS showed their strength in depth with some knockout performances. The main story centres on the rise of Rita O’Grady and in Ellen Dunbavin-Lomas we had ourselves a star, absolutely perfecting her vocals but more importantly giving us a strong woman we could love and believe in. She gave us vulnerability when required, drive and ambition when pushed and the ability to unite all the women together. Her emotion and passion for the cause perfectly highlighted in the jaw-dropping “Nearly had it all”. 

Her connection with the other female cast members was a unique display, most notably the companionship with Connie Riley played by the consistently outstanding Samantha Morrisson. Their connection was so warm with Rita learning the arts of negotiation and dealing with unions from the experienced Trade Union representative. I don’t know how Sam does it but she has this connection with a character she is playing that is so honest, a true star of Amateur Theatre.

Joining Rita in their uprising, alongside an ensemble of outstanding female actors, were 5 key women all wonderful in their own unique ways. Zoe Kent was as blunt as they come, a delicious potty mouth and sharp tongue in the role of Beryl. Rhiannon Walker added the glitz and glamour to the group as Sandra with mannerisms to match a catwalk and vocal range and power to dominate each scene she was in. Her vulnerability when the bills started to catch up on her showed a lovely softer also.

Sasha Gibbs was brilliant as the joyful and optimistic Cass, a lady desperate for more for her life and it was great to see the beaming smile when finally adorning her Pilot suit in the finale.

Finally and getting better and better in every role I see her in was the wonderful Lucy Adams as the delightfully naive and rather dim Clare. Managing to portray this character without overacting it or becoming Panto-like was a skill in itself and it was impossible not to love her characterisms, especially in her brilliant number “Wossname” - absolutely hysterical.

The women would also later be joined by the Factory manager’s wife in their cause. Showing a complete disregard to her husband, Kirsty Furness was perfect as Lisa Hopkins, a highly educated woman able to run rings round the men and offer Rita some much needed support.

Appearing at first to be against the women was Barbara Castle, The Secretary of State for Employment, played with some incredible power by Claire Willmer. Originally tasked by the Prime Minister to shut down the strikes it was great to see Claire develop her character and balance a strong woman with one of great compassion and belief in the Dagenham Girls fight. Her humbling of the Prime Minister almost as spectacular as her vocals, Wow can this lady sing, her main number Ideal World an absolute masterclass in delivery.

The main characters were more than ably supported by a highly talented ensemble, most of whom were understudying their colleagues in the principal roles and I have no doubt from the talent shown that they would all have excelled should they have been called into action.

Of course this show was not just about Women, or who would they have been battling with? The male members of DOS also added grit, great humour and chemistry to the production.

The main family in the story is the O’Gradys and playing the head of the household (or so he thought) was James Bearpark as Eddie. A first major lead for James and from the sensational showing this will not be his last. Capturing every characteristic at ease from his humour, softness and passionate side right through to his childish, spoilt and tantrum like reactions it was a genius acting display. From the comedy in “I’m sorry I love you” to the wounded tenderness in “The Letter” James not only acted the role well but continued that through some great story telling with his wonderful voice. A huge well done James.

The family bond that James and Ellen created alongside their children played by Seth Cohen and Cassie Hide was so tender and believable. They looked, acted and behaved like a family unit, from the bickering to the caring, from the chaos to the love it all clicked. The short number “School Song” gave the juniors a chance to show off their lovely voices too.

Adding some delicious humour to the show was Neil Harland as Harold Wilson with a cracking portrayal as the Prime Minister. Written in this show as a weak, easily pushed about leader, Neil managed to bring light to a deeper story with some amazing scenes, especially with Barbara and the Civil servants. The comic timing and line delivery was perfect alongside visual humour, scooter riding and misplaced “stationery cupboard” exits had the audience in stitches. To me it was the finer detail that Neil nailed, whether through raised eyebrows or even clever use of his pipe, the little extras made all the difference.

Trying to keep the peace with everyone was Julian Cound as Monty, getting pulled from pillar to post by every character in the show and despite being portrayed as a wet lemon excellently gave us a lovely softer side to the character at Connie’s passing. A lovely range of emotions from a very talented actor.

The men had the exhausting role of doubling (sometimes trebling) up in roles and they bounced from character to character with ease. 

Scott Edwards, Eddie Taylor-Jones and Alexander Taylor-Garthwaite were hysterical as the civil servants whether in their misplaced sexual innuendos, unsubtle sexism and also brilliant combination with Neil in the number “Always a Problem” this trio were absolutely perfect. 

Scott also teamed up with the female ensemble to perform “Cortina” - a cheesy showcase number at a new Ford launch. Like something from a tasteless gameshow, the vocals and routine were as slick as his outrageous ginger side-swept wig. Eddie Taylor-Jones also doubled up, giving us a fabulous arrogant and pompous Mr Hopkins.

Other roles played with real impact were David Murray as the cocky American businessman desperate to overpow the women with his American greatness. The Elvis hips, lip curl, cowboy hat tip and patronising manner combined with the Blockbuster Act Two Opener “This is America” to give us a real hatred of the character. Deservedly booed by the audience at the finale.

Made in Dagenham isn’t just about the story and character depth it also has some absolutely huge numbers in the musical and DOS yet again wowed us with some amazing routines. From the strength and power in the Union Song, the passion and emotion with a huge story told in Storm Clouds to the Glamour and colour in This is America every number was sensational with slick choreography and great harmony work led by Steven Hood and his wonderful large orchestra. 

These big numbers had some brilliant touches and detail in them most notably in Nearly Had it All where use of a clever gauze and lighting created a beautiful silhouette of powerful women in history, rightfully joined by the recently deceased Connie.

I have to admit that I have seen a great number of musicals professionally before an amateur showing well in Made in Dagenham I was able to kill 2 birds with one stone. My 1st viewing of this show was by amateurs but under the expert direction and choreography of Joanne Hand this was a professional standard production. The details and little touches were there, the staging exceptional, costumes perfect for the setting and I know from chatting to cast members how much attention Jo had arranged into understanding the message and the story. From meetings with Women’s Rights movement groups to cast discussions over equality, not a single stone was left unturned. 

Such is the talent within DOS that the main family doubled up for the production, with my colleague adding a review of the alternate night cast, I have no doubt that these perfrormances would have matched the talent that I was able to witness on stage.

The show ended with the hit number Stand Up, a great celebration of the Women’s victory. This number allowed us, the audience, to also stand up and show our appreciation of a spell-binding production and the work that had been put in by every member, on stage and off.

A huge thank you to everyone involved. I left the Theatre feeling uplifted, emotional, full of joy and absolutely amazed by another outstanding show and I can’t wait for…… Jamie!

Fred Piggford comments on Saturday 2nd November cast:

On the evening I attended the role of Rita O’Grady was played by Charlotte Sisson and what a Tour de force!! Her characterisation of the role was excellent in combining the mother with the activist and in reacting with the other girls. Her vocals were great. All in all a first class and rounded performance .Well done Charlotte .The role of Rita’s put upon husband Eddie was very well  played by Jason Slater . The connection between him and Rita came through at all times as being typical of what happened in those days of 1968. His vocals were superb and I particularly liked ‘I’m sorry I Love you ‘ sung by both Rita and Eddie and the Men. The 2 children Alfie Webster and Abigail Moore as Graham and Sharon O’Grady worked well together and portrayed typical children of the time. Well done to you all.

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.