Nomads Musical Theatre |
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The Nomads Musical Theatre web site is at
www.nomadsmusicaltheatre.co.uk. |
Next production
The Wedding Singer, 5th to 8th October
Based on the hit Adam Sandler movie, The Wedding Singer takes you back to 1985 when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up, and a wedding singer was the coolest guy in the room.
Where
Corn Exchange, Newbury.
Review of Made in Dagenham
9th to 12th October 2019
Review from the Newbury Weekly News.
Everybody out! …for a role call
… applause for the talented Nomads cast in 'their best show yet'
Nomads Musical Theatre: Made in Dagenham, at the Corn Exchange, Newbury from Wednesday, October 9, to Saturday, October 12
Newbury's award-winning Nomads Musical Theatre chose the story of the 187 women who brought the largest Ford car factory in Europe to its knees for their latest production. Informed in 1968 that their job had been graded as unskilled while men doing similar work were put into a skilled grade, the women decided to strike, for "nothing changes if it isn't changed".
On an evening when everyone was a star, the brightest was the wonderful Lucy Brown as Rita O'Grady, the women's leader. Totally believable as the woman torn between family and convictions, she was a tour-de-force from the moment she appeared with her kids and their cornflakes to the finale. Brilliant.
The girls who supported the cause created their individual characters and carried them off to perfection. Particularly strong were Carol Joice as Beryl, the roughest of rough diamonds, and Alison Hoult, as nervously- determined shop steward Connie Riley. As Barbara Castle, who comes on board to help the girls, Grace Green had the minister down to a T, while the men (who obviously enjoyed being a group of lads again) were equally first-rate at maintaining their different characters whether as officials or men on the shop floor.
Neil Harvey was excellent as Rosie's husband Eddie, trying to cope, but eventually leaving her, taking the children with him. He was heartbreaking as he sang the poignant contents of the letter he had left for his wife. In contrast, one of the funniest routines – for in spite of the subject there was much humour – was Stuart Honey as nifty-footed, Gannex-clad Harold Wilson, performing a slickly choreographed routine with three bowler-hatted minions.
Russell Barrett was appropriately and entertainingly obnoxious as Tooley, the brash, insufferable American Ford director who comes over the pond to see the situation. His wonderfully-awful This Is America ("we've got route 66, you've got the A13") made you want to hit him. No one did… we're British. Amy Billington's choreography was excellently achieved by the chorus and dancers, while their singing was cohesive, tuneful, bright and faultless under the barely-perceived baton of musical director Nic Cope, who with his excellent musicians was concealed behind the set. Lucy Oliver, Cara Yates, Oliver Brooks and Daniel Jones playing, alternately, the O'Grady children, must have enjoyed it all.
Directors Nikki Rands and Andy Pocock can be extremely proud of this performance. It was one of Nomads' best – and that's saying something.
CAROLINE FRANKLIN
Previous productions
Made in Dagenham, 9th to 12th October 2019
Showtime Soirée, 17th to 18th April 2019
Priscilla Queen of the Desert, 3rd to 6th October 2018. See the review in the archive.
Showtime Coffee, 21st to 23rd March 2018. See the review in the archive.
Thoroughly Modern Millie, 4th to 7th October 2017. See the review in the archive.
Showtime Boheme, 16th to 18th March 2017. See the review in the archive.
Oklahoma!, 5th to 8th October 2016. See the review in the archive.
Showtime Market, 17th to 19th March 2016. See the review in the archive.
Sunset Boulevard, 7th to 10th October 2015. See the review in the archive.
Showtime Circus, 26th to 28th March 2015. See the review in the archive.
Summer Holiday, 1st to 4th October 2014. See the review in the archive.
Showtime Royale, 27th to 29th March 2014
Grease, 2nd to 5th October 2013
Showtime Ever After!, 21st to 23rd March 2013. See the review in the Archive.
Footloose, 19th to 22nd September 2012.
See the review in the Archive.
Showtime Chemistry, 22nd to 24th March 2012
Our House - The Madness Musical, 5th to 8th October 2011
Showtime Locomotion 2011, 24th to 26th March 2011.
See the review in the Archive.
Jekyll and Hyde, 6th to 9th October 2010. See the review in
the Archive.
Showtime Café, 22nd to 24th April 2010. See the review in
the Archive.
West Side Story, 7th to 10th October 2009. See the review in
the Archive.
Disco Inferno, 1st to 4th October 2008. See the review in
the Archive.
The Wizard of Oz, 3rd to 6th October 2007. See the review in
the Archive.
Chess, 4th to 7th October 2006. See
the review in the Archive.
Showtime 2006, 31st March to 1st April 2006. See the review in the
Archive.
Annie, 5th to 8th October 2005. See the review in the
Archive.
Showtime!, 28th to 30th April 2005. See the review in the
Archive.
Jesus Christ Superstar, 6th to 9th October 2004. See the review in the
Archive.
Guys and Dolls, 1st to 4th October 2003. See the review in the
Archive.
Oliver!, 3rd to 5th October 2002. See the review in the
Archive.
Sweet Charity, 4th to 6th October 2001. See the review in the
Archive.
A celebration of the music of Stephen Sondheim and George Gershwin, Sat 7th and Sun 8th April 2001. See the review in the
Archive.
Some Like it Hot, 5th to 7th October 2000. See the
Archive for reviews.