Download the new logos for the programme and poster competition

Ladies Day

Author: Hazel Hole

Information

Date
21st November 2018
Society
Bocking Theatre Club
Venue
Bocking Village Hall
Type of Production
Play
Director
Margaret Surrey

I was welcomed by the Front of House team and by Margaret Surrey, the Director all of whom were dressed to go to Ladies Day. This created a sense of occasion from the very beginning .I spoke to Margaret about the challenge of the production and the effect she had achieved. Initially I was surprised to see that the village hall stage was not to be used but instead the play was performed on the flat to the side of the hall with the audience suitably positioned. And this worked so well !

The action of the play took place in both the fish filleting factory and also at York Racecourse for Ladies Day .Whilst the set was minimal, changes were made by the very effective use of props eg fish boxes, filleting table, scales and             white railings denoting the enclosures at the racecourse. Many congratulations to Terry Surrey ( Stage Manager and set design )for his imaginative work  and to Dave Jaynes, Doug Felton and Peter Tanner for set construction and being stage crew and to Carol Felton and Margaret Surrey for props.         

The four’ fish girls’ from Hull were, without exception, extremely well cast and word perfect with the prompt virtually redundant .Importantly, they all maintained their accents !

Joanna Heath, as Jan, really excelled as the downtroden single mother, very proud of her gifted daughter and some of her facial expressions were remarkable. Alexandra Goodchild, as Shelley,was suitably ‘tarty’, glamorous and extravagant and out for a good time and was a commanding presence on stage. Jean Baker, as Pearl hid a guilty secret about her illicit love life and appeared a little superior to the other girls, both in dress and manner.      Autumn Jenner, as Linda was initially overshadowed by her scheming mother        but became more forceful after meeting a very sensitive and hesitant young jockey, well played by James Gedge. Gareth Jordan Burrows , playing Jim, an arrogant, self important TV pundit, delivered this role with great enthusiasm and skill. John Hughes, as Joe, the manager of the factory was suitably dictatorial but showed a human side later .Richard Cooper, as Barry, Pearl’s former love interest, played his role well as did John Ellson (Fred) and Graham Everard (Kevin)

Costumes ( Jean Baker, Carol Felton and Margaret Surrey ) were very appropriate and absolutely right.

This was a sparkling and energetic production, with a good dose of comedy, played to a very appreciative audience. From talking to several cast and crew afterwards, the point was made that everyone felt fully involved in all aspects of the production.

Well done to Margaret Surrey and everyone involved. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.

Other recent show reports in the East region

Funders & Partners