Striking the Wrong Note

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workers. They wallflower to rebel, STRIKING THE courageously and the company is challenged male called upon to help WRONG NOTE managers, union this inexperienced leaders and singer land musical Marianka Swain wanted more politicians in their climaxes. More grit from Made in Dagenham at the demand for equal impressive are Naomi Adelphi Theatre on November 5 pay – a battle Frederick’s frustrated that rages on. wife, Sophie Stanton’s abour disputes score from David If that sounds foul-mouthed factory have proved a Arnold (Sherlock), earnest, fear not: worker and Sophie- L fruitful West plus it’s helmed by Made in Dagenham Louise Dann’s diva End topic, from Billy hotshot director is so eager to Barbara Castle. Elliot and The Full Rupert Goold. And entertain, it veers Arnold’s pleasant Monty to The Pajama yet this homegrown into squawking but utilitarian Game, and this new musical is rather less pantomime. Bean’s numbers stall the addition is keen to than the sum of its relentless one-liners story, while Thomas’s follow in their picket- celebrated parts. neuter the conflict, satirical lyrics, though lined footsteps. It It takes as its with deprivation, enormous fun, are has strong creative inspiration the female struggle and sacrifice at odds with the pedigree, too, with a machinists at Ford’s referenced rather source material. script from Richard Dagenham plant who, than dramatised. Made in Dagenham Bean (One Man, in 1968, went on The antagonists, is most successful as Two Guvnors), lyrics strike to protest the including music-hall pure pastiche, with by Richard Thomas sexist, parsimonious clown Harold Wilson Aletta Collins’ feast (Jerry Springer: decision to reclassify (Mark Hadfield), of 1960s dance The Opera) and them as unskilled are all buffoonish crazes – rock ’n’ caricatures: good roll, mashed potato, for an easy laugh, twist, pony and but diminishing the Motown – and Bunny strikers’ achievement. Christie’s ingenious This perky farce Airfix model set. short-changes The only moment darker, emotionally that truly moved was Centre, Gemma Arterton and engaging threads the actual strikers Adrian der Gregorian like campaigning taking to the stage Connie’s (Isla Blair) for a bashful bow. illness or leader Rita’s This broad, feel- (Gemma Arterton) good show locates marital problems. their spirit, but not Arterton, their soul. l though likeably www.madein gutsy, struggles dagenham The cast of to convincingly Made In Dagenham themusical.com transform from