Made in Dagenham
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Introduction to "Made in Dagenham"
"Made in Dagenham" premiered in London’s West End at the Adelphi Theatre on November 5, 2014, following previews from October 9, and ran for 166 performances, closing on April 11, 2015. With music by David Arnold, lyrics by Richard Thomas, and a book by Richard Bean, this musical adapts the 2010 film, itself based on the 1968 Ford sewing machinists’ strike in Dagenham, Essex. Directed by Rupert Goold, it starred Gemma Arterton as Rita O’Grady, with Adrian Der Gregorian as Eddie. Produced by Stage Entertainment, its vibrant score and tale of women fighting for equal pay earned mixed but positive reviews and a 2015 Olivier nomination for Best New Musical. Despite its critical warmth, low ticket sales cut its run short, yet its spirited legacy endures, celebrated in a 2024 Palladium concert.
The Creative Team Behind the Show
David Arnold, known for James Bond scores, composed the rousing music, paired with Richard Thomas’ sharp lyrics think "Everybody Out" while Richard Bean’s book brought humor and heart from "One Man, Two Guvnors" fame. Rupert Goold, Almeida Theatre’s artistic director, helmed the production, with Aletta Collins’ choreography and Bunny Christie’s swinging ‘60s sets. Gemma Arterton, in her musical debut, led as Rita, with Adrian Der Gregorian as her husband Eddie, joined by Mark Hadfield as Harold Wilson and Sophie-Louise Dann as Barbara Castle. Stage Entertainment’s £4 million backing, with Jon Clark’s lighting and Richard Brooker’s sound, crafted a bold British musical that aimed to rival Broadway imports, though its commercial fate told a different story.
A Strike for Equality on Stage
In 1968 Essex, Rita O’Grady, a Ford seamstress, juggles factory work and family life until management downgrades the women to “unskilled,” slashing their pay. Rallying her colleagues Beryl, Clare, Sandra she leads a walkout, defying Ford’s might and a corrupt union. Her husband Eddie wavers as tensions rise, while factory boss Hopkins and U.S. exec Tooley stonewall. Rita’s resolve peaks at a Trade Union Conference, her speech ("Stand Up") swaying the vote for equal pay, echoing the real strike’s role in the 1970 Equal Pay Act. Songs like "Made in Dagenham" and "The Letter" blend grit and warmth, ending in triumph though Rita’s home life bends but doesn’t break under the strain.
Performance and Reception
Opening to buzz after workshops with Arterton, "Made in Dagenham" drew praise The Evening Standard’s Henry Hitchings called it “robustly likeable,” and The Independent’s Paul Taylor dubbed it a “proudly British” hit. Its 166-show run, bolstered by a live cast recording, showcased Arterton’s “effortless” lead and a “conveyor belt of raucous fun” (Daily Mail), earning a Best New Musical Olivier nod. Yet critics like The Guardian’s Susannah Clapp found its music uneven no standout earworm while its 1960s gags split audiences. Facing stiff competition from "The Book of Mormon," it closed early despite 300,000 attendees, a victim of poor sales. A 2014 BBC Children in Need performance of "Everybody Out" and a 2024 Palladium concert with Pixie Lott revived its spirit.
Legacy in West End Theatre
"Made in Dagenham" holds a unique spot in West End lore its 166 performances and Olivier nomination highlight its promise, but its £4 million cost and closure reflect a commercial misstep akin to "Leonardo." Born from a hit film seen by millions, it spurred a 2016 Hornchurch-Ipswich revival and a 2024 10th-anniversary concert at the Palladium with Lott and Killian Donnelly, raising Maytree Sanctuary funds. Globally, amateur stagings thrive via Music Theatre International, with its cast album a fan favorite. Unlike "Les Misérables," it’s no juggernaut, but its feminist fire and British roots echoed in Billy Bragg’s film theme endure, a testament to ordinary women sparking extraordinary change on stage and off.