Review: Made in Dagenham is mighty and moving

Lauren Crisp is a book editor, writer and keen follower of arts and culture. She reviews theatre and cultural events in and around the district in her spare time.

You can contact Lauren on laurencrispwriter@gmail.com. 

The Harrogate Operatic Players (HOPS) are back at Harrogate Theatre with their summertime musical extravaganza and, this time, they’re in 1968 Essex.

Made in Dagenham: The Musical is based on the 2010 film starring Sally Hawkins and Miranda Richardson, in turn inspired by real events during the Ford sewing machinists’ strike of the late 1960s.

Harrogate’s fine amateur dramatists bring their own twist, making for an amusing, touching and jam-packed evening of toe-tapping tunes and plenty of surprises.

When the girls of Ford’s Dagenham plant’s stitching room are told their pay grade is to be downgraded to ‘unskilled’, the ladies go on strike, and it’s Rita, hardworking mum and long-suffering wife to Eddie, who finds herself leading the charge in a battle that becomes one for womankind.

An industrial backdrop roots us firmly in strike-era Britain, but ever-changing sets transport us between the plant and Rita’s kitchen, the Houses of Parliament and the pub. 

All Biba dresses, beehives and flipped bobs, HOPS’ wardrobe department has had a lot of fun recreating the 60s on stage.

HOPS’ Rita is played by the talented Jordan Rhodes; a lovely leading lady, Rhodes captures her character’s growing courage, displaying some impressive vocals as she goes

Christopher Mooney, as Eddie, can also belt out a tune, his performance of The Letter, in which he tells Rita he is leaving home, being especially moving.

With so many fantastic characters for the cast to get their teeth into, there’s never a dull moment. 

Ruth Graham as foul-mouthed Beryl, Toni Bedford’s sassy Sandra, Emma-Louise Dawes as the fiery Barbara Castle and Simon Marie’s hilarious caricature of Harold Wilson provide just some of the highlights.

As one, this cast is a powerful force: the production’s ensemble numbers are many and impressive, mirroring the characters’ might and determination.

The show does come with the warning that it contains language and references considered appropriate to its time, and this should be heeded – it’s not one for the whole family. 

But the grown-ups are certainly in for a giggle. Uplifting, filled with grit, courage and humour, HOPS has this musical all sewn up.

Made in Dagenham: The Musical is on at Harrogate Theatre until Saturday, June 15.