26th April 2025
Murder on the Airwaves
Three Towns Theatre Company, Upchurch Village Hall
Ladies' Day
Author: Gordon Harris
Information
- Date
- 13th May 2016
- Society
- The Avenue Theatre Production Company (ATPC)
- Venue
- Avenue Theatre
- Type of Production
- Play
- Director
- Jean Spann
Amanda Whittington’s ‘Ladies Day’ is an often deeply meaningful play set in a fish packing plant, with a backdrop of a Tony Christie soundtrack, but draws on the theme of friendship and dreams. Whittington’s writing allows for a thoroughly entertaining and funny story to present itself, but the real power is in the finale of the second half when the play takes a twist, in a truly moving piece.
Jean Spann’s direction of this production fully conveys how witty it is. Take four competent, actresses, a good play, a good Director and you have a tool for success!!
The part of tarty, fun loving Shelley is a gift for any actress of Janine Hall's ability and she is perfect in this part, showing her acting talents to the full. Jan is the practical one, rather innocent, and concerned about doing the sensible thing. Pat Fitzsimons conveys all these qualities and is quite believable when having to act drunk (not nearly as easy as she makes it look). Pearl (Amy Walker) the centre around which the others revolve, was played convincingly. Linda (Hannah Rickard), a young, slightly out of her depth with a nightmare mother, is in some ways the most pathetic of the four, but her scene with the jockey Kevin (Adam Bicknell - a strong performance), shows her in a different light.
The four maintain impressive Northern accents throughout - this is sometimes harder than it seems. Among the supporting cast, Andy Wise plays three character parts adequately, Joe McCormack and Barry, but needed much more transition between the characters, Joe McCormack especially. Small part for Martin Singer, but he made his presence known.
The last few minutes of ‘Ladies Day’ feature moments of disappointment and delight. One could sense and feel the audience was living these moments with the characters on stage. If a Play creates that magical feeling it has done what theatre is supposed to do. A minimalist set, but it was good to see the projection on the screen, a good move. A very nice evening at Avenue Theatre Productions,
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