THEATRE REVIEW: Made in Dagenham at Rotherham Civic Theatre

FINDING a parking space on am-dram opening night is not always a major challenge, sadly, such is the struggle some companies have to fill seats.

But on Tuesday night, I ended up with a mad dash to get to the theatre for curtain-up after having to park miles away.

Such was the appeal of Made In Dagenham.

The Civic was as busy as I can remember seeing for an amateur show, and the combination of an inspiring political message, superb songs and universally great performances certainly sent the audience home happy, judging from the huge ovation at curtain call.

At three hours long (including interval), this would be quite a bum-numbing experience had the Civic not been reupholstered a few years ago.

Instead, the ride is as smooth and pleasant as any you could imagine taking in the slinkiest late-60s Ford Cortina, whether in white or cream (the wide colour choice available).

Based on a book by Richard Bean, with music by David Arnold and lyrics by Richard Thomas, the Made In Dagenham musical has its roots in the popular 2010 film of the same name, which starred Sally Hawkins as Rita the reluctant industrial rebel and Danny Mays as her husband Eddie.

It premiered in the West End in late 2014 with Gemma Arterton in the lead role, but flopped, closing six months later.

Perhaps that was due to the fierce London stage competition, because I find it hard to fault the show itself, which blends comedy, drama, dance and song seamlessly.

Rita (Ellie Needham), a busy mum who juggles home life with two kids and hopeless husband Eddie (Ben Bason) with job stitching seat covers at Ford’s east London factory, emerges as an unlikely women’s rights campaigner after the car company downgrades the women workers as “unskilled” and cuts their pay rate.

From the opening highlight of theme song Made In Dagenham through to the storming Everybody Out, story and song weave together winningly as the dispute cranks up.

MMTG’s 43-strong cast regularly expands across the Civic stage for huge ensemble renditions and marching-style dance routines but there are several standout solo performances, especially from Richard Wilshaw as American tycoon Mr Tooley, Elaine Demaine as a fiery Barbara Castle and Barry Foster as a comical caricature of Prime Minister.

And the two leads, Needham and Mason, are just fantastic.

Needham takes on much of the heavy-lifting singing-wise and ably portraying Rita’s buttefly-like emergence from one of the girls to the outspoken leader.

Bason, meanwhile, brings unsuspected depth to Eddie’s character, not least when musically relaying the contents of a heart-rending letter to Rita. 

The orchestra, led by musical director Pete Lane, is excellent throughout, and the sets and backdrops are also of a high standard, whether portraying the Prime Minister’s office, the shopfloor at Ford or the O’Grady’s kitchen.

When a convicing statue of Oliver Cromwell at Westminster appears for just a brief scene, you get the feeling few corners have been cut.

Made in Dagenham is certainly a show pitched firmly in its period. While the message of sexual equality at its heart rings true today — especially against the background of the BBC pay scandal and the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment — there’s plenty of sexist chat and the odd off-colour 70s one-liner.

And while every young person should know this real-life story and learn about the barriers the Ford women broke down, the strong language throughout will make the show unsuitable for some.

But for those old enough to stay up beyond ten o’clock, its hard to imagine a more enjoyable night at the theatre.

The feel of high-quality is universal, from the costumes and the sets to the slick dance routines right down to the glossy A4 programme.

And the power of a 40-strong cast belting out memorable songs is a joy to behold.

I went away humming the chorus to Stand Up and wondering if I could track down the soundtrack.

There’s no substitute for the live experience, though.

Get down to the Civic before Saturday night — and make sure you get there early.