Made in Dagenham

This is one of the many new shows doing the rounds just now, and it was my first viewing, which I knew nothing about! 

Based on a true story, the show explores the movement that caused a significant law reform.  In 1968, the Ford sewing machinists strike at the Ford Dagenham plant, where female workers walked out in protest against sexual discrimination, demanding equal pay. The strike was successful and lead to the Equal Pay Act 1970. This musical story version centres round husband and wife Rita and Eddie O’Grady who both work at the Ford factory. In her endeavour for equal pay for all, this begins to make a strain on their marriage and their two children Sharon (Elise Brand) and Graham (Ruben Shearer) – alternatively played by Rosie O’Flaherty and Michael O’Callaghan. Both Becki Mackenzie and Gavin Russell, as the husband and wife, deliver very strong performances in their roles. And they had very fine voices to fit the music numbers required to sing. Rita’s co-workers in the factory were a right motley bunch – Connie (Julie Fashae), Beryl (Susan Kirkham), Clare (Gemma Stewart), Cass (Sarah Cowmeadow), and a fiesty Kirsty Watson (Sandra) – each girl playing their own special character capably. From the factory Management, David Smout was the dogged factory manager and his wife, Lisa, (Kirrilee Reid) who sides with the women, with the dependable Jonathan Cammidge as Mr Tooley, the American boss. The script is witty and earthy (!) but sums up the times perfectly. And the comedy comes from an unusual source – namely the Government! Christie Young, wearing Gannex raincoat and, pipe in hand, was perfect as PM Harold Wilson, and Anne Kemp shone out as Barbara Castle – her fine voice heard in her “Ideal World” number. This is a good company show as there are many female roles in it and much work for the full company who sang out lustily throughout, particularly in the “Made In Dagenham” and “This Is America” numbers.

On first viewing – yes, I enjoyed the experience!

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