Ladies’ Day

Ladies’ Day

The Exmouth Players

A comedy by Amanda Whittington

Directed by Wendy Groves

The Blackmore Theatre, Exmouth

Friday 23rd July 2021

‘Tricia Barclay

NODA SW Representative District 6

 

It was lovely to be back at the Blackmore Theatre and receive the usual warm welcome from the Front of House “Volunteers” on duty for this performance, and to see all the improvements that have been made to the space during the months of closure.

This was a great choice of play for their first production and had the audience on side right from the “off”!

The open stage for the first scene set against the “blacks” showed four ladies of varying ages, dressed in white coats and unflattering hairnets, behind a high counter as they went about their mundane daily tasks of filleting and packing fish, you could almost detect the smell permeating into the audience!

The different characters of the ladies were quickly established – different being the operative word – as they exchanged tastes and views on the Pop Singers of the day, ranging from Tony Christie to Duncan from Blue, and there were some wonderful lines.

We learn that Pearl is soon to retire, or rather is leaving early to spend more time with her husband on his retirement, and she expresses a desire as a “leaving do” to go to the forthcoming Royal Ascot “Ladies’ Day” at York Races. This led to a terrific scene change when the lighting rack flew out, the counter was removed, and the ladies danced out of their coats, headgear and work-shoes and into their “Royal Ascot” finery - all to the strains of Is This the Way to Amarillo – great stuff!

After the ladies gained entranced to the “Enclosure”, due to a lucky find of a purse containing four tickets left behind in the loo, their “back-stories” and secrets began to emerge as they quaffed champagne and took turns to circle in and out of the action, making for some delightful and poignant scenes.

Self-effacing Jan is a single Mum who buries her feelings for Joe the factory Foreman and faces a lonely future with her daughter about to go off to university.  Linda is gentle and kind-hearted but is struggling with a “freeloading” mother who is bleeding her dry.  Shelley is brash and sassy with everything “up-front”, a prime candidate to be discovered on Reality TV, but her confident and pushy personality hides an addictive gambler deep in debt. 

Pearl’s story surprises them all when she discloses a long-term love affair with “Barry the Bookie” who suddenly disappeared from her life one day with no explanation, and who she is secretly hoping to meet again that day and discover the reason why.

The “Ladies” all portrayed their different characters so well, sustaining the Northern accents throughout, and conveyed such a strong bond and feeling of camaraderie, with the odd pithy observation thrown in, you really felt they had known each other for years.

The “gentlemen” of the piece were for the main cameo roles but intrinsic to the story, as well as making for the smooth scene changes.  Joe the Factory Foreman was suitably brusque and “in charge” but eager to escape to a new life in Australia – let’s hope that he took Jan with him!

Kevin made a believable “on course” drunk, and Fred was a convincing wide-boy ticket tout. Patrick in his racing silks was particularly endearing as the jaded Irish jockey, and his encounter with Linda certainly brightened up her life and rescued her from her scrounging mother.

Jim McCormack was spot on as the racing T.V. Commentator, casting a licentious eye over the delectable Shelley while surreptitiously swigging from his hipflask, thankfully she saw the error of her ways in the nick of time, and managed to evade his intentions.

Central to the action Pearl was beautifully played, and when the ghost of Barry appeared beside the track, she sadly discovered why he had disappeared from her life so suddenly. Barry saved the day in the end by picking up the discarded Jackpot ticket and pressing it into Pearl’s hand, for due to a Stewards enquiry the Ladies’ betting selections came up trumps allowing them to follow their dreams!

The musical numbers were fundamental to the piece particularly those that followed the names of the winning runners. Pearl and Barry’s last dance was particularly moving, but on reflection perhaps he could have just slipped away leaving her alone centre stage with her memories – just a thought.

The scenes at the Racecourse were simply staged against a stunningly painted backdrop of the Grandstand, and the costumes were just right for the characters. The whole piece was very well orchestrated throughout, and the feel-good factor generated by the Company spilled out into the audience making for a thoroughly fun-filled and enjoyable evening all round.

Most certainly a winner!

 

 

 

 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what they see at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that their assessment will be affected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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