Made In Dagenham

Made In Dagenham is a powerful and uplifting musical, and Clydebank Musical Society delivered a confident and engaging production under the direction of Carolyn Anderson. The story’s strong themes of equality and collective action were clearly communicated, resulting in a performance that was both entertaining and thought‑provoking. 

At the centre of the production was Rita O’Grady, portrayed with warmth and conviction by Anne Haddock. Her performance captured Rita’s determination and emotional journey effectively, providing a strong focal point for the narrative. Her vocal ability and stage presence was excellent. Opposite her, Kevin Rodgers gave a solid portrayal of Eddie O’Grady, offering good support and balance within their shared scenes. The Letter was a memorable moment in his performance.  

Strong supporting performances added depth and colour to the production. Beryl, played by Iona McHugh, was particularly well handled, bringing her feisty character to the role. Monty, portrayed by Dave Crozier, provided a confident and engaging presence, while Barbara Castle, played by Gillian Stewart, was clearly defined and authoritative. The role of Prime Minister Harold Wilson, performed by Lewis Brown, was also convincingly presented, with excellent comedy timing.

The ensemble worked well together, particularly the group of factory girls - Clare (Yasmin Bennett), Sandra (Niamh O’Donnell), Cass (Kristina Maxwell) whose scenes demonstrated good unity and energy, reinforcing the strength of the collective voice at the heart of the story. Connie, played by Susan Bradley, brought her own character to the performance and she portrayed the role well showing both her strength and vulnerability. Through the roles of Mr Jeremy Hopkins, portrayed by Ryan Long, and Mrs Lisa Hopkins, played by Fiona MacCallum Knox, we saw the contrast to the hard fronted factory worker’s approach. They both performed their roles well and contributed effectively to the storytelling. A number of supportive principal roles enhanced the overall impact of the production and contributed well to the production. There was a real strength in both the female and male ensemble and some of the standout numbers included the title song Made in Dagenham, Pay Day and Stand Up. At the performance I attended I saw excellent performances from Chase Darroch in the role of Graham O’Grady/Perry Hopkins and Ayla Caldwell as Sharon O’Grady. There was also a great kid’s ensemble.

Musically, the production was well supported under the musical direction of Gordon McLaren. The score was delivered with assurance, maintaining momentum throughout the show and supporting the emotional highs and lows of the narrative effectively. 

At times the sound levels were high which caused some distortion of the vocals. That said, overall, this was a strong and well‑balanced production of Made In Dagenham. Clydebank Musical Society should be congratulated on a successful and engaging evening of theatre. 

 

 

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