Made in Dagenham – The Musical

This is the second time this year I have been lucky enough to see a production of Made in Dagenham which, if you read a synopsis online, sounds like a rather serious musical.  “Based on the real events of the Ford sewing machinists strike of 1968, the story is told from the perspective of Rita, a working woman and mother who becomes a union leader amidst the strike, despite the wishes of her husband and children, who feel neglected by her focus on labour issues”.  Although factually correct, this summary fails to capture the joy, heartbreak, passion, enthusiasm and non-stop energy that the show can deliver when well executed, and tonight the WLOS team delivered a fresh interpretation that had me engrossed from the first bars of Busy Woman to the final curtain call.

I must confess that many of the productions of Dagenham I have seen over the years all use the same hired set so it was brilliant to see one that was very much more “home made” and therefore completely appropriate for the Acorn Theatre space.  So thanks to all concerned for going that extra mile (and a half).

Turning to the on stage performers, no production of Dagenham is complete without a strong Rita and Eddie O’Grady to engage the audience and with Sarah Ilett and Luke Ogley Neeve, this production was in very accomplished hands with both bringing an inner reality to their characters.

Sarah, just perfect as Rita, brought out the inner strength, internal sacrifice and family pressures affecting Rita as she grew from being one of the Dagenham car seat machinists, to a passionate and articulate advocate of equal pay for women, winning over both the male dominated TUC and Labour Government.   Luke shone as the initially “macho” mechanic Eddie, who started off as a stereotypical Ford production line worker who pushed back against Rita’s development.  Luke then managed to show Eddie’s own developed through his love for his wife and family which brought him to understand, respect and fully support his wife in her battles with the male dominated establishment.

Turning to the musical numbers, it was clear from Pete’s command of the orchestra and the detail in the vocals from all of the ensemble cast that the audience were in for a treat throughout the night with highlights including Made in Dagenham, Busy Women. Pay Day, Everybody Out, Viva Eastbourne and Stand up to name but a few.  Pathos was also given full emotional impact in Storm Clouds, This is America, Same old Story and the emotion shredding The Letter where Luke managed to keep it together through one of the most emotion shredding songs in musical theatre when many around me in the audience could not.

Although the on-stage success of the production is led by is two Principals, it is nothing without strength in depth in the supporting cast which, even in these Covid times, WLOS displayed in every area.

Hazel Turner’s Connie always had the love for her “Girls” shining though even as her health declined.  Mathew Dawes was very sympathetic as Monty trying to represent the women workers to the best of his ability in a male dominated factory. Jo Dewberry was one of the best Barbara Castle’s I’ve seen on the community theatre stage and Steve Thomas-Lee giving Harold Wilson just the right degree of cartoon idiot without taking this too far which is often the case in other productions.  Mike Pinkerton was the appropriately sleazy American Ford boss Tooley.  Julie Burrows, Fern van der Vliet, Trudy Jackson, Zoe Nelson, Rebecca Murden as Beryl, Cass, Clare, Sandra and Rachel were great as the Dagenham machinists.  Amy Coxhill, Richard Hinchliffe, Hamish McDonald, Solanna O’Brien, Erin and Archie Ilett and the rest of the cast all added to the strength of the production.

The Boys of the Ensemble brought the energy and testosterone that is synonymous with hard manually working men who enjoy each other’s company at work and at play. The Girls were also judged superbly.  You could see the camaraderie between them though their in-jokes and ribbing each other and the Boys.  Finally, the Dancers added energy and precision to all the numbers they performed in.

Andrea, Pete, Jo and Rebecca - congratulations on pulling together this excellent interpretation of Made in Dagenham.  The imagination that was put into the staging, choreography, musical clarity and diction made this a souring success.  The lighting, sound and costumes all added to the late 1960’s atmosphere which was also complimented by the setting and speed between scene changes.  I very much look forward to seeing your next production Nativity!
Martin Holtom

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