Ladies Day

~~This was a completely new play to me which, given the number of plays I have seen over the years, is most unusual.  The story revolves around four ladies, work mates, who spend their days in a fish filleting factory.  One of the group voices a wish to go to the races at York as a retirement / leaving celebration.  Through some “luck” they obtain tickets for Ladies Day and set out to have a good time.  As the storyline develops the author leads the audience more deeply into the lives and back grounds of each lady revealing deeply held wishes and hopes and at the same time bringing both humour and pathos into the equation.
I thought that the four main protagonists Pearl (Lynn Cowley), Shelley (Jacky Silvester), Jan (Alice Adams) and Linda (Sue Arthurs) all more than did justice to their roles, maintaining their norther accents well and delivering excellent characterisation throughout.  Well done!
The male roles in this piece are of necessity defiantly the support act bit all made the most of on stage chances; Joe Gosney (the jockey pretty well at his career’s end) Martin Waoner (the ticket tout) with Peter Milne (the lovelorn Joe).  Keith Fraser took in the two roles of Kevin and Barry which showed nice differentiation.
The set was minimal but perfectly serviceable for what was required.  As ever the stage crew provided a very efficient service with the lighting adding to the overall effect.
I felt that all the elements of this show worked well together and provided a very satisfactory entertainment for the audience.  The whole play was well paced and kept everyone’s attention – enjoying the humour and sympathising with the problems evident in the lives of the four ladies.  Well done to Ray Haresign on his directorial debut with Brackley Players and thank you for your warm welcome.
 

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