Made in Dagenham

It was good to be back with Bridgnorth Musical Theatre Company having attended last year for their production of My Fair Lady.

Made In Dagenham is based on the strike at Ford Dagenham in 1968.  It tells of the struggle for equality and fair pay for the female machinists. They are informed, by their union rep, that the management are planning to downgrade them to unskilled workers whilst their male counterparts are to receive an increase in wages. 

The women elect representatives to meet with management to discuss their dissatisfaction and grievance. A reluctant, Rita O’Grady leads the movement going to Government and the TUC conference in the campaign which brought about changes in legislation.  

On entering the auditorium a film was running showing members of the cast working on sewing machines, setting a nice prologue to the musical. I was visually drawn to a kitchen down stage right. Prior to the stage lights coming up I could see a 1960’s table and four chairs. When the lights came up the attention to detail became apparent with items including a box of Corn Flakes and cleaning materials dating from the era. The detail in this piece of set was replicated throughout the performance where realistic props and costumes became the norm.

Stacey Taras as Rita O’Grady gave a marvellous performance from the start of the show as a housewife, through to her encounters with work colleagues and others until an excellent speech at the end and the rousing musical number ‘Stand Up’.

The relationship between Rita and her husband Eddie played by Karl Thompson was well portrayed from the realisation he had forgotten their 10-wedding anniversary (getting colleagues to sing Happy Birthday when told it was a special day) to looking after the children, the marriage break-up and reconciliation.  His song ‘The Letter’ was outstanding and emotional. I especially liked how this was staged with two scenarios taking place around the same table, Eddie writing the letter while Rita was reading the same now received letter.

Barbara Preece as Beryl was wonderful. Asking everyone whether they were getting any and her continual swearing, which was done both maturally and with ease giving a believable portrayal of the character.

Liz Dean as the union rep Connie and Paul Stennings as Monty the foreman gave memorable performances as she dealt with cancer and he, his feelings for her.

Emma Leigh as Lisa Hopkins provided a sound performance as the middle-class supporter of the fight for fair pay.

Other female roles including Sandra played by Sam Whithouse, Clare played by Isabella Davies and Cass by Siobhan Carter were all well done and provided great support to the other characters.

Simon McCormick as Mr Hopkins and Aiden Bradburn as Tooley from the USA gave good performances. The song ‘This is America’ was well delivered by Aidan.

Other male roles included the management of Ford demonstrating how times have changed with the terms used for example Roger Etheridge as Hubble the HR manager and Karl Spence as Macer the Production Manager.

The musical provides an opportunity to have a character portrayal of the Prime Minister of the time – Harold Wilson, complete with pipe and mac.  The scene with the ‘stationary cupboard’ and ‘I do like to be beside the seaside’ during ‘Viva Eastbourne’ were brilliant, with great comic delivery.

Jessica Miller as Barbara Castle Minister for Transport (and Secretary of State for Talking to the Unions) was wonderful in her portrayal. Her rendition of ‘In an Ideal World’ was yet another highlight of the evening.

On the evening I attend Rita and Eddie’s children Graham and Sharon were played by Joseph Bueno Davies and Jessica Stevens. Both played their roles well and I am sure George Jones and Corinne Whitehouse gave equally good performances when they took the roles.

Ensemble numbers were all sung well and provided good movement and staging.

The band were located off stage between the action and the audience. They played well together resulting in a good sound although at times they seemed to slightly overpower some of the vocals.

The lighting was effective ensuring sections of the stage where action was taking place were suitable illuminated. The opening of act two was particularly well done to show the arrival of a helicopter.

This show had a new production team to Bridgnorth Musical Theatre Company who should be proud of the results as should everyone involved in any way. Emotions seemed high during the final curtain call for all the right reasons.

Congratulations to all involved in this production ‘Stand Up’ show. I look forward to seeing you again in the future.  

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