Made In Dagenham the Musical

The company’s spring production was a hearty and moving experience. The rousing songs of This Is What We Want, Everybody Out, Viva Eastbourne and Stand Up were energetically and musically well sung by chorus and principals leading to an emotional and rousing stand up finish. The quality of singing was clear - in the soloists, the harmonies of the evocative ‘Storm Clouds’ and the contrast with the flashy America. Based on the true story of the Dagenham ladies striking for equal pay in 1968 and succeeding, this was more than history because it revealed the tensions in relationships and the huge issues of economic hardship, equality and loyalty. In this, the leading roles of Rita and her husband Eddy were well cast. Lorna Stevens as Rita sang and acted impressively throughout. With clear articulation and diction she conveyed at first the innocent machinist going along to a management meeting before discovering herself as a fighter for equal pay despite the toll on her marriage and family. She was a clear force in taking this production forward. But so was Freddy Bowen-Gates as her husband Eddie, whose image of himself as a supportive husband took a severe knock. Out of his comfort zone at home and at work he conveyed all his feelings in a passionate and moving rendering of the The Letter. Louise Scott as Connie the woman who gave her life to the trade unions provided an insight into the long term difficulties of achieving fairness with a comprehensive delivery of Same Old Story. Brian McKay as the union representative Monty was effective as he tried to play both sides and lost. In love with Connie but unrequited he evoked real sympathy. Jasmine Clark gave a determined articulate Lisa Hopkins supporting Rita and dealing with Nelson Grant, her career climbing husband. Meanwhile Grant Webb excelled as the bullying, arrogant American boss, Mr Tooley, out to stop the strike by any means. There was laughter too in the repartee and well timed banter by Charlotte Wood as the earthy Beryl; in the confused thinking and singing of Olivia Pearson as Clare; in Emma Fraser as Sandra and the Cortina advert; and in Steve Murphy’s Harold Wilson with his clothes, style of dealing with problems and inability to find the door! Pity Angela Dickinson as Barbara Castle, handed the role of his Minister of Transport, dealing with business and being sympathetic to the women while showing steely resolve to improve things. Aidan O’Carroll had his moment as the Cortina Man. All cast were in character and the minor parts were well characterised. A set with lots of scene changes with props from homes to factory with sewing machines and office, to school, to government offices, to a trade fair and to a TUC conference was well executed providing a good backdrop for the cast to perform. The opening number Busy Woman worked well with kitchen at one side and the busy routine of family breakfast while on the other side factory workers came to life readying for work. The children also coped well with the difficult timing of song interjections. Costumes were in period and accents maintained. A first for the producer, she can be pleased with the result – a great show demonstrating the talent of the company whose commitment and passion were there to be seen and enjoyed. Congratulations to all.

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