Ladies Day

Amanda Whittington's play - inspired by the relocation of Royal Ascot to York in 2005 and updated for the 2018 UK tour - tells of the comical trials and tribulations of four working class Yorkshire women as they mingle with the toffs on Ladies' Day. 

It all begins on the fish-packing line in Hull as we're introduced to our diverse cast of characters who take us on a gently humorous journey which at the same time manages to probe - ever so slightly and never terribly deeply - the hopes and disappointments of our working class women. 

The staging throughout was simple yet effective with a nice backdrop.   Lighting did all it needed to do until the pièce de rèsistance a superb Northern Lights effect which added beautifully to the emotive Barry and Pearl scene towards the end.  Sound was good with well chosen music which was all kept at a very acceptable level. Appropriate costumes for the fish packing scenes, Patrick’s jockey colours and the ladies all looked splendid in their race going finery complete with hats and fascinators.   Props were minimal but everything needed was there except some liquid in the champagne bottle.  There is nothing more irritating to my mind than actors pretending to drink or carry invisible liquid. (a) they forget to swallow the pretend drink and (b) they wave bottles, cups and glasses round.  Just a little water in bottles or glasses makes all the difference. Rant over.

On the acting front, leading the way as Pearl, Gillian Haverson, was well cast as the maternal figure who sets the plot in motion with her plan to take the girls on an outing to the races; the less worldly Jan was nicely brought to life by Linda Riddy ; would-be 'WAG' Shelly was played by Gemma Adams who made sure we didn’t miss a word and Bryony Mountfort did a really fine job of bringing Tony Christie fan Linda to life.   Some of the Yorkshire accents were a bit suspect but that is by the way. It was interesting that we seemed to be asked to sympathise with Pearl's long-term infidelity rather than question it and it is to Gillian’s credit that she managed to put the character across so well. Jan's 'drunk scene' was handled well too, never tipping over into over-the-top slapstick and much more believable as a result. Shelly's brassy confidence was also well expressed and helped to highlight the hollowness of our celebrity obsessed age into the bargain! 

All the male roles in the production have little to get their teeth into but Scott Robertson, Oliver J Brace and Paul Riddy did a good job as Fred, Kevin and Joe respectively.  George Kelly came over well as the rather sleazy race commentator Jim and Don McKay produced two splendid characterisations as Patrick a jockey nearing the end of his career and Barry, Pearl’s ghostly lover. In fact the weighing room scene with Patrick and Linda was a special highlight for me. It was beautifully done by both actors. As was the penultimate scene with Barry and Pearl with the Northern Lights. 

Congratulations to Director Glenys Shaw and both her on stage and off stage teams who are to be commended on a first rate performance.  Did the ladies win? I’m not going to tell you but as far at the first night audience was concerned St Neots Players certainly did.

Thank you for inviting me along and for the lovely warm and friendly welcome.

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