“Made In Dagenham” by Musicality
Nottingham Arts Theatre.

Based on the 2010 film of the same name, “Made in Dagenham “is drawn from the real-life 1968 sewing machinists strike at the Ford factory in Dagenham, Essex. The musical focuses on the leader of the strike, Rita O’Grady, as she encourages the women of the Ford factory to walk out after they are re-classified as unskilled workers, while the firm’s male workers see their wages increase. After Rita is patronized and snubbed by the factory at a union meeting, the women’s grievances over their worker status turn into a fight for equal pay.

Determined not to be treated like the poor relation, the women vote unanimously to strike. When the American bosses fly in and lay off 5,000 men as a result, including Rita’s husband Eddie, cracks begin to show in the women’s solidarity. Risking her marriage and friendships, Rita continues her efforts for equality and gives a rousing speech at a televised Trade Union Conference, leading to the passing of equal pay within the union.

A powerful piece of theatre which has a lot of comedy, as well as gaining sympathy and pathos form an audience. It highlights the ripples and far reaching circumstances and consequences that may occur when you aim to make a stand.

That's the story, and now I can proclaim that this is possibly the best production of this musical that I have seen, and I have seen some brilliant productions of it.

This group put the musical into Musicality, and apart from a mic issue with Beryl at the start, I really can not find anything at all to fault with this lot.

The singing is so tight in the ensemble pieces, both male and female sections work so smoothly together and separate groups. The solo vocalists are absolutely faultless.

I just knew by the end of Act One that I was going to be on my feet at the end of this show, and I made sure that I kept that promise to myself.

Claire Wimbush plays Rita O’Grady. Such a passionate performer, and she isn't the only one, with an incredible voice to match her acting skills. You really are pulled between the two extremes that Rita finds herself, making you believe in the character and not just the actor.

Jack Matthews as Eddie O'Grady. Jack is a new name and face to me and already I want to see what else he can offer because his passion for acting is so obvious when he is on stage. This is highlighted for me in "The Letter", which by the way is one of my favourite songs from this musical, and he performs this so very well that you'll get a lump in your throat.

Lucy Avery is Connie, totally believable and even though, anyone who has seen this show before knows what happens to her, she still manages to make it upsetting.

Rowena Fry as Beryl. God I love this character. So ballsy and Rowena looks like she is enjoying playing this potty mouth, as much as we were loving the character herself.

Siska Greene plays Sandra, Beth Ward plays the role of Clare, Elly Hassall as Cass, Megan Smith is Tracey, Lucy Taylor plays both Sharon O'Grady (daughter) and Jo.

Yaade Joba as Jeremy Hopkins and Sophie Bradshaw as Lisa Hopkins. Lovely characterisation for both. so much so that you would wonder why these two characters would have got married in the first place. I suppose opposites really do attract.

Nathan Smalley as Mr Buckton/ Mr Macer and makes his debut for Musicality, and what a way to break his duck!

Matt Talbot as Monty, a character who tries to keep both the women in the factory and the management sweet, sometimes a little naively. I love the character performance here.

Carla Davison plays Barbara Castle, fiery like her hair, and I know I keep bandying about the term character performance throughout this review, but this group has many strengths and this is certainly one of them.

Paolo Elias plays both the son Graham O'Grady and Prime Minister Harold Wilson, and it is as the latter that he really shines. The dancing, the comedy, the voice, his facial expressions, the characterisation, this man has it all. Not only that, but he can pass as a schoolkid as well as being convincing in an elder role.

Andrew Whitaker plays Bill . His love for performing is quite evident in this production, and this show is another fine addition to his already respectable theatrical CV.

James Warner plays Buddy Cortina, Barry, and Mr Hubble, showing his ability to play varying ages, but it's his vocals as Cortina that makes this man shine.

James Thacker is Mr Tooley, the arrogant, misogynistic and bigoted American boss of Ford. I have seen James in several productions and every one different, showing his versatility. You should really hate this character, but James brings out the comic, almost laughable side of Tooley. A faultless vocal performance as well.

Have I mentioned that this is a large cast with a brilliant ensemble? Well I need to mention them as well. Rhodri Denton, Lucy Boardman, Silva Lemos, Ellen Steel, Josie Bergman, Sophie Mitchell, Holly Dellar, Fiona Cook and Holly Aldridge, They make the choreographed pieces spectacular and the vocal pieces like a wall of sound.

Directed by Thomas Outhwaite and Produced by Katie Monk. It seems that they don't like to take an easy option, not that either of these theatrical roles can ever be classed as "easy", but what an amazing job they have done. Really pacy, and if you did even think about looking at your watch, the speed of this production wouldn't even allow that.

Musical Director is Abi Browning, and what a big powerful sound she has given in this show with her 10 piece orchestra.

Choreographed by Katie Bacon, and this is the first main show that she has choreographed. I am so impressed because there are some big numbers to choreograph and with a cast this size as well, Katie has obviously done her homework and worked the cast hard. the results speak for themselves.

Musicality prove that you don't need big sets and scenery to have a successful musical, when you have an incredibly tight group of vocalists, who can all sing and put the passion into their acting in the same way as these lot do.

The stage management is excellent (Daniel Bowden/Hannah Burne), the costumes are excellent as are the hair and make up,(Isa Al Khalifa and Olivia Cunningham) evoking the 1960's.

I knew on my journey home that I would be penning a longer than average review, and that is because there is so much to gush about, but hopefully you've got the idea that I absolutely loved this production and the ridiculously talented team at Musicality. Each year they raise that dramatic bar even higher, not only for themselves but for all local drama companies to compete with.

“Made In Dagenham” is at the Nottingham Arts Theatre until Saturday 16 February 2019 and if you want an exciting and entertaining evening of entertainment, fun and talented young actors, then you know where to go. They certainly match the quality, emotion and entertainment of "Blood Brothers" at the Theatre Royal.