Ladies' Day

What a wonderful opportunity for members of TODS to perform in such a prestigious space knowing the likes of Ellen Terry herself and other national acting treasures including Sir John Gielgud her great nephew, Dame Edith Evans, Peggy Ashcroft, and Donald Sinden have trodden the boards.  A first for TODS and a first for me as a member of the receptive audience. First of a trilogy ‘Ladies Day’ is a popular play to perform and considering the writer wasn’t a great lover of the horse racing world when asked to write a piece commemorating the running of the Ascot Races at York in 2005 and is of its time and Amanda Whittington created a very funny script setting her four main characters Pearl, Jan, Shelley and Linda busy at their mundane daily task of gutting fish in Hull dreaming of aspirations and hopes.  Pearl is set to retire and what to do to celebrate her leaving. They swop hairnets for hats and have a day at the races which was a combination of wonderfully funny script and aided with plenty of fizz unexpected secrets and hopes are poignantly revealed, and potentially a surprise happy conclusion

Peter Huxley once again was responsible for stage set which this time was minimal but representative throughout, commencing with a large working table stacked with fish boxes with the four ladies behind to prep the fish. Entry and exit through a small opening of the black backdrop worked very perfectly indeed as well as the use of side stage. The clever idea of the square boxes for the finery transformation scene was very slick. Small garden table and chairs depicted the enclosure. A white fence to the track effective as was the jockey’s room with bench dressed with riding hat covered with  starred ‘silk’ and a pair of riding boots to the side. All subtle but telling the story. I particularly liked the wooden bookie’s board hanging on the side wall.

Costumes provided by the cast were in perfect keeping for each character. Well chosen hats too and Jan’s particularly appropriate when she announced she was going to be sick!

Experienced Pearl preparing to retire early was beautifully played by newcomer  Sara Nower – a strong, solid character who kept the others in check and revealed a secret to Jan that she had a lover! Jan another of the filleting foursome was convincingly played by Wendy Thomas, her second TODS appearance, characterising a single mother whose life revolved around her daughter who of course after consuming a lot of alcohol let the cat out of the bag. She is secretly in love with factory manager Joe not brave enough to make her move. Linda the youngest of the team of fishy foursome was a dreamer – adoring Tony Christie – in particular the song ‘Is This the Way to Amarillo’ had her life ruled by a demanding mother who she could not manage to release herself from until she meets Patrick the Irish jockey. Siana Weston with her natural comedic performances of Gerry in Vicar of Dibley and Roz in 9 – 5 was simply perfect for this role. Wonderful facials and timing. Finally, tall, sexy, feisty Shelley was provocatively performed in her slinky frock and purple ponytail by Kay Fitzgerald. I loved her lesson in Tic-tac gestures so well performed together with Patrick Harrison as Jim a posh, knows everyone TV commentator Jim dressed in morning dress. Joe, the factory manager is planning to travel off down under , the love interest of Jan - firm but lovable with Michael Fitzgerald taking on the role and the cameo of Kevin the drunk loser pundit beautifully wobbled. Barry is the secret lover bookie of Pearl who appears sadly as a ghost towards the end of the play with allrounder Mike Nower playing the character. Nick Griffith was reliving  Irish jockey Patrick who clicks with lonely Linda with some moving moments in conversation with her and doubles as Fred and rip off ticket tout. 

Sound and lighting was by courtesy of the Barn Theatre with matt and Rivers Turpin at the controls.  Thanks go to the backstage crew for the smooth running of the production and to those unseen members of the team.

A talented group of players with Jenny Lloyd-Lyons holding the reins and leading them expertly to the winner’s post. A thoroughly enjoyable, funny, swiftly executed production with well-maintained accents.

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