Ford Fiesta! Tullyvin musical underway

The Equal Pay Act may not sound like the most promising subject for a musical. But director Aoife Shalvey assures that the acclaimed ‘Made in Dagenham’, which Tullyvin Musical Society brings to the local stage this week has something for everyone.

The show is based on the true life story of female factory workers' struggle for equal pay, that ultimately led to ground-breaking legislation in Britain.

The Maudabawn woman observes Made in Dagenham is not quite as “happy clappy” as previous shows staged by the Tullyvin crew, such as The Addams Family or Little Shop of Horrors.

“It has a bit more substance to it than shows we've done before, it has a lovely mix of comedy while also focuses on some very serious topics, so it has a really nice balance and I think audiences will really enjoy it.”

Set in the Ford car factory in 1968, the drama is sparked when seamstresses in the upholstery section realise they are being stitched up by their employers. Their work is deemed lesser than the men on a different part of the factory floor, and it shows in their payslip.

“It's the fight they have with management, and getting their voice heard to get equality,” says Aoife of the plot's main thrust.

The story centres on working mum Rita (played by Andrea Fitzpatrick) who in addition to leading her seamstress colleagues in the work dispute has to struggle with domestic headaches – a neglectful husband Eddie (Enda Gill), and rearing two kids daughter Sharon (Zoe Hannigan) and son Graham (Tighearnán Ó Maol Tuile) who has issues at school.

Aoife notes how the characters are faced with changing the mindset of the era as well as the law, giving the example of how Rita responds to young Sharon's aspiration of becoming a doctor.

“Even the leading lady Rita says at the start, 'No you can't be a doctor, you have to be a nurse; girls are nurses boys are doctors'.”

Aoife is the newest member of the Celt's staff, working in the sales team. Even though pressure must be building as opening night looms at the time of interview and yet she projects a serene air of calm. This week's run of five shows is a culmination of many months work, since the committee met to choose a musical. In the months since, Aoife, musical director Dave McGauran and choreographer Aisling Rountree have travelled alongside some of the cast to watch productions of Dagenham in Dún Laoighaire and Kildare.

“You get to see what other people have done with it, what angle they have taken for certain scenes, and then you have that in your toolkit if you need it.

“Between the three of us we've been working away since the 1st of August, so now it's nearly showtime. We're pretty much living in Tullyvin Hall at the minute, we're rehearsing full-time now.”

A society member since she was 15, this is the first time Aoife has perched in the director's chair. Being entrusted with the director's role for Made in Dagenham is a great honour for her.

“I was in Calamity Jane, which was the first musical we did, and I have been in several productions since then. Then I went away and studied Musical Theatre in College.

“I was delighted to come back last year as assistant director and I've made it up to the top spot for this year to be director. It's lovely to work alongside people I've known for 10 years, and people who have nurtured and supported me and come to see me in shows in Dublin. I suppose they're a family in a way because I've known them and grown up with them. It is a lovely full circle moment to get to do this and I hope I do them proud.”

Judging by the “lovely vibe” in the rehearsals Aoife is confident the show will build on the society's previous successes. A measure of past successes is the conveyor belt of nominations they have received for the Amateur Irish Musical Society (AIMS) awards in recent years.

“We've got a few nominations this year which is unreal because it's so lovely to be standing alongside the likes of musical societies that have been going for a 100 years. We've only been going for 10 years and look we're on the same platform as them so it is fabulous.”

Under the chair Jackie McQuillan, Tullyvin Musical Society prides itself in creating a spectacle and sense of occasion.

“When people go to Tullyvin Hall for the shows they are blown away,” says Aoife. “You would think you're in the Bord Gáis, and people often say that's far better than going to the Bord Gáis,” she says, and adds that big bonus Tullyvin has over the capital: “And free parking as well.”

The excitement is sustained through the professionalism of its epic production involving a “massive” cast of 42 performers and live orchestra.

‘Made in Dagenham’ runs from from 8pm nightly through to Saturday, which also has a matinee at 2.30pm.