Made in Dagenham

APOS’s latest production of Made in Dagenham filled the stage with energy, warmth and strength. This heartfelt and humorous British musical tells the story of the women at the Ford Dagenham plant who fought for equal pay in 1968, and APOS delivered their production with sincerity, spirit and exceptional teamwork.

From the very first scene, Rita O’Grady (played with tremendous charm and conviction by Pauline Ferguson) anchors the story. Her journey from modest factory worker to fearless leader was both believable and inspiring. The audience was swept along by her passion, and her vocals in “Everybody Out” and “Stand Up” were particularly impressive - strong, emotive and beautifully phrased.  There was excellent support from the rest of the cast. Eddie O’Grady played by Adam Dawson brought real tenderness to his scenes, giving the family storyline heart and depth. The duet Pauline and Adam sang, “Nearly Had It All” was beautiful. Lorna Mcolm’s Beryl provided constant comic relief with impeccable timing, while Victoria Hamilton’s Connie balanced warmth and wisdom as the union-savvy machinist. The comedy and entertaining exchanges with the central girls continued with Lisa Stewart as the ditzy optimistic Clare, who was a real … wossname, Vicki Green’s bold, confident and flirty Sandra, and Kirsty Gibson’s strong and grounded Cass. The six girls worked very well together and had real connections which made their relationships believable. The further ensemble of factory girls were a cohesive force - full of attitude, humour and unity, capturing the spirit of solidarity that drives the show. The characterisation work in all the full ensemble scenes was excellent and matched with clever choreography, no matter where you looked on the stage a story was unfolding. In contrast to loving relationships and characters you are routing for, was Colin McDonald as Tooley. A real representation of corporate greed he oozed ruthlessness, arrogance and some manipulative charm. On the opposite side of the strike action from the girls was Olive Lindsay as a fiery “just like her hair” Barbara Castle which she portrayed with just the right blend of political poise and playful confidence, while Graeme Strawhorn’s Harold Wilson made a delightfully eccentric and bumbling Prime Minister that drew plenty of laughs in every scene he was in.  There were so many fantastic supporting roles in this production, all performed with real talent and energy. Some cast members even took on multiple characters with ease as the story flowed - a huge congratulations to everyone for bringing these character’s stories to life so brilliantly.

The set design was clever and flexible, shifting quickly from factory floor, to the O’Grady’s Kitchen, to Westminster with minimal fuss. The choice to use mobile set pieces and the fixed high-level platform at the rear allowed for smooth transitions. The lighting enhanced this well with bold colour washes bringing to life to the larger musical numbers, while subtler tones and tighter spots to underscore the quieter emotional beats. Vocally, this production was a triumph. The principals deliver their solos with clarity and passion, and the ensemble singing was consistently strong and well-balanced. Numbers like “Busy Woman” and “This Is What We Want” are delivered with precision and power, filling the auditorium with rich harmonies. The choreography was another highlight. APOS’s creative team has made full use of their large cast, ensuring every performer is part of the action. The movement was lively, well-drilled and perfectly suited to the period giving empowering group numbers and a little cheeky 60s-inspired sequence for the Cortina number.

Throughout the show there was a definite sense of teamwork both on stage and behind the scenes. APOS had clearly worked hard to capture the humour, humanity and heart of this story, and they certainly succeeded. This production not only entertained but also celebrated the enduring message of equality and determination that Made in Dagenham stands for. In short, APOS’s Made in Dagenham was a joyous, high-energy triumph with strong performances, thoughtful direction and a clear sense of purpose.  Congratulations to the entire society for another great production.

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