Unit 3: Character Research / Audition Prep

Made in Dagenham is a musical that is originally based on the 2010 film 'Made in Dagenham' which in turn centred around the true life events of the Ford sewing machinists strike of 1968 that aimed for equal pay for women. Based on a true story, Made in Dagenham explores the movement that caused a significant law reform. Rita O'Grady (a fictional character) leads the 1968 Ford sewing machinists strike at the Ford Dagenham plant, where female workers walk out in protest against sexual discrimination, demanding equal pay. This strike causes a lot of public attention around the world and was seen as out of the ordinary to many because it was not in a woman's nature to do anything else other than the traditional family roles. The strike is successful and leads to the Equal Pay Act 1970.

SANDRA BEAUMONT

Sandra Beaumont is a sewing machinist at the Ford factory, she is also fun, confident and very comedic. She is a supporting role with no lead solos. She is dramatic. With the vocals of: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano and Alto. Below is a photograph of 'Sandra' from the film 'Made in Dagenham'.

• Sandra has a very confident, fun and out-going personality.
• Sandra has relationships with: Brenda, Rita, Eileen and Connie who embodies the optimism of the late 1960's.

I am physically suited to Sandra because she is confident, fun and out-going like myself. Also vocally it is challenging but I think I can give it my best. Also I feel that I am capable of playing and portraying Sandra because I feel as though I am confident enough to be able to portray this role.

EDDIE O'GRADY

Eddie O'Grady is Rita O'Grady's husband whom is a 31 year-old-man and is one of the workers at the Ford factory who gets on well with the men working there. Eddie is a typical bloke who loves his wife and kids and is every 'dumb'. But in Eddie's song called 'The Letter' he sticks up for his wife saying "he's proud, she's got brains and guts" for doing something about the pay at the factory. Although he states in the song that he can't 'do this' (meaning he can't live without his wife, physically and emotionally).
He is from Dagenham, he is the husband of Rita. He works at the factory as an unskilled worker and is 'one of the lads'. As the man of the house and 'one of the lads', he expects to be looked after by 'the wife'. However, he tries really hard to support Rita and the striking women by looking after the kids, cooking, cleaning and washing - not very successfully, but he does his best. In an emotional scene, Rita finds the letter he has written saying he is leaving her which leads to one of the most sincere and heartfelt songs of the show, 'The Letter'. This needs an innocent, natural character and voice.

The two songs that Eddie sings are:

• Busy Woman - Rita, Sharon, Graham, Eddie and Ensemble
• I'm Sorry I Love You - Eddie, Rita, Male ensemble
• The Letter - Eddie
• Nearly had it all - Rita, Eddie, Female ensemble.
• Stand Up - Rita, Eddie, Ensemble

The only solos that Eddie has is 'The Letter'.

Eddie's Vocals: Baritone






The musical song that I have chosen to sing is - 'The Letter' for Eddie.
The contrasting song that I have chosen to sing is -
The personality traits I will show in my audition for my chosen characters are - Eddie - The love for his wife and how proud he is of her. Sandra - Her comedic side.
What accent do you have? - I have an Essex accent.
What social class do I come from? - I come from working class.
How old am I? I am 31 years of age.
How will I prepare before Thursday? - I will rehearse my songs, and learn the lines for the scripted piece or become familiar with the script. I will also make sure I rehearse to gain feedback.