Dirty Dustings

Dirty Dusting
By Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood
Presented by Rainhill Garrick Society at Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court, Rainhill on Friday, 16th May 2025

Three Lady Pensioners supplement their meagre incomes by cleaning an office building in St Hellens. Their boss an ageist, misogynistic, machine management bully takes pleasure in informing them that agency workers are being brought in and their services will no longer be required. 

Following a miss dialled phone call the trio chance on the idea of setting up a sex phone chat line, with strange but hilarious results.  The aging cleaners are all really likeable, with complex but believable back stories, were expertly cast, and brought to vivid life by Director Tracey Duffy.

The Cast....
‘Elsie’ - Jo Webster 
The instigator who has a strange obsession with death, looking forward to open day at the local crematorium. 

‘Olive’ - Lynn Aconley
Olive: a respected Guide Leader in the community and the brains behind the venture, reveals a softer side when she discloses her long-standing affair with the scout master. 

‘Gladys’ - Linda Saavedra
Gladys: initially introverted and nervous, surprises the audience with her newfound confidence and empowerment after a particularly passionate night with her husband. 

‘Dave’ - Peter Cliffe 
The perfect snidest authority figure. The final scene with the faulty vacuum cleaner designed and executed to perfection. Definitely a comedy moment to remember. 

All of the obviously experienced actors timing, so important in comedy, was perfection, with noticeably not a word of dialogue lost by anyone misjudging the length of audience laughter. When all of the actors interact so well and come across as real and relatable, it is difficult to single one person out for praise. But on this occasion, it would be remiss to not mention

Linda Saavedra, literally lived the part of Gladys, creating depths and layers when exposing further dimensions to the character. 

A cleverly designed set by Jo Webster and Richard Parker.
Costumes that perfectly matched each personality, and exemplary lighting and sound all contributed to a lovely night of Theatre. 

Yes, at times some risqué dialogue and situations, but underneath a heartwarming tale of real friendship. 

David Davies 
Assistant Area Rep
NODA NW
District 6

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