Although I have been reviewing shows since Noah was a boy, Made in Dagenham is one that has, until now, stayed firmly “under the radar”. I am not sure if the subject matter worried me – after all, it is the true story of a strike in car factory – or whether the struggle to get equal pay for women didn’t seem a likely topic to sing about but, having seen Tunbridge Wells Operatic and Dramatic Society’s superb production – I am hooked!
The story is so much more than just the tale of the struggle to get recognised for your work ability and not your gender, it is the tale of real people, with real issues, dealing with everyday life. The show is loaded with comedy, a fair bit of ripe language – especially from Beryl (June Fuller) and even a very pert naked bottom (shown off proudly by Gary Russell).
TWODS have a reputation for staging quality shows, as was witnessed earlier this year with their excellent production of Legally Blonde, and Made in Dagenham continues with the high standards that the enthusiastic opening night audience are expecting. The set is simple but functional, transforming from a factory, to a kitchen and even to the offices of state with ease and, combined with some simple but effective lighting effects, the various scenes all work well.
The fantastic female leads, June Fuller, Eva Slanney, Sophie Nightingale, Becky Histed and Jo Phypers are headed up by Sophia Wallace as Rita O’Grady, the “ringleader” and spokesperson for the female workers. All of these characters are portrayed well, using skills that many professional actors would be hard pressed to exceed.
The Dagenham Boys, Rob Brennan, Jon Alcock, Gary Russell, Bob Broad, Sam Smith, George Fever and Steve Radliffe are, in turn, headed up by the fabulous Mr David Hynes as Rita’s husband Eddie.The sneering, sexist, misogynistic ways of the men are so typical of the late 60’s, are so out of touch with the modern world, with women regularly referred to as Sweetheart, Love, Dear or just “Birds”.
Other notable performances are the roles of Barbara Castle (Jane Morgan) and Harold Wilson (Chris Henderson), the O’Grady children, Sharon and Graham (played at this performance by Savannah Savage and Zachary Scarborough) and the wonderfully over the top representative of Ford USA, Tooley, played by Simon Judd.
Although the most well known songs, “Everybody Out” and “Made in Dagenham”, appear in act one, for me the musical highlights are buried deep in act two with David Hynes delivering a massively emotional performance of “The Letter” followed up by the equally impressive vocal performance of Sophia Wallace in “Nearly Had It All”.
As mentioned earlier, Made in Dagenham may have slipped under the radar until now, but it is one that I will be returning to sooner rather than later and TWODS can rest assured that their tremendous reputation, built up over the last 130 years, is safe in the skilled hands of Artistic Director David Street who has managed, once again, to deliver one of the most professional amateur productions I have ever seen.
***** Five Stars