Made in Dagenham The Musical

Based on the film of the same name, Made in Dagenham is the true story of a group of Ford Dagenham female workers in 1968 fighting for equal pay with the men. I entered the venue to be greeted by front of house dressed in blue Ford overalls, a lot of effort had gone into recreating the setting of a Labour government trying to keep a combination of balancing the government books, whilst at the same keeping their Trade Union backers happy (sounds familiar?) Keeping up the theme, the programme had the style of a Haynes Manual, a very nice touch. It was also great to see a full house at this, the final performance of the run,

The set was dressed well and reflected the era, a 60’s kitchen for the O’Grady family, a backdrop of the Elizabeth Tower (then known as the Clock Tower that houses Big Ben) at Parliament for the government scenes, and a nice décor of the blueprint of all the parts of a Ford Cortina to the rear to reflect the scenes in the factory. A lot of attention had also been put into the styles from that era for the cast, from hair to make up and dress.

Lighting and sound was very good, and the cast were accompanied by a 5-piece band, under the direction of Mike Benyon, along one side of the hall that sounded fantastic throughout. It’s difficult when the audience are that close to the band to strike the right balance of volume between the singing on the stage, against that of the band being so close, but it was very well done and hats off to all the sound and lighting crew.

There was a large cast, and I think the stage had been extended which allowed for the great cast that been assembled to deliver a wonderful performance.

There were many excellent individual performances and characterisations, with a superb supporting cast who never switched off with their reactions and energy throughout the performance.

The factory machinists, Holly Brice (Sandra), Jessica Baldwin (Cass), Suzanne Stevens (Clare), and Emma Gunter (Beryl), made a formidable quartet and led a lot of the company numbers with powerful vocals (such as “This Is What We Want”) and camaraderie against the male dominated control of the factory.

There are four pairings in this show that are thought provoking- each of these pairings were cast so well and very convincing. First of these was Sebastian St. John-Clarke and Lisa Solden, as Managing Director of the Ford plant Jeremy Hopkins and his wife Lisa Hopkins, who were very funny using dry humour relaying the strains and tensions of their relationship.

Secondly, there was Karen Stephenson as long-standing subservient Connie Riley, and Dave Griffiths as Monty, the two shop stewards who have worked together at the factory for years. Karen delivered the first of two songs in the show that really touched my emotions, “Connie’s Song” was delivered from the heart and Karen’s delivery of it was outstanding.

Unfortunately, I am old enough to remember Harold Wilson and his government, including Barbara Castle, and Douglas Porter as Wilson, and Victoria Tofte as Castle, were particularly good portrayals of these characters and their parts in this show mirrored recent times. Swap Barbara Castle for Angela Rayner today, and you will get the picture that being in government must be like entering a viper’s nest.

Finally, the O’Gradys, and the toll that Rita O’Grady’s fight with the company and TUC took on her relationship with her husband and fellow Ford worker Eddie. Nicola Diggins was outstanding as Rita, leading the workers to the happy conclusion, but almost at the cost of her marriage. As Eddie, Matthew Correys’ delivery of the song “The Letter,” when he left Rita and took the children with him, was truly outstanding and I shed a tear. Superbly set with Rita on one side of the stage reading the letter as Eddie sang the contents of the letter, it was a wonderful touching moment.

Director Cathal Prendergast must be congratulated for producing yet another very entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable production.

Thanks again to all at Palgrave Players for their hospitality and all the support that you have given to me.

 

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