Ladies` Day

Who could dream up such a plot, well Amanda Whittingham certainly has.  Set in a fish processing plant in Hull, it follows four female fish packers at their work station, whose day is enriched by the music of Tony Christie.   Wanting to celebrate the retirement of their co-worker,  Pearl , they decide to take the day off and go to Ladies` Day at the races.

During the course of the day we discover the secrets of the four ladies.  Pearl,  played superbly by Sue Orme, revealed a long standing affair.  Suzi Illston as Jan brilliantly portrayed a single mum struggling to make ends meet, but ultimately enjoying a booze filled day.  Their glamourous mate Shelly, played by Wendy Beric was glorious in her role chatting up the TV racing commentator.  Claire Wade, wonderfully  sympathetic as Linda was the lonely girl who meets Patrick, an Irish Jockey and  ultimately finds her soulmate.

Each of the ladies  gave outstanding performances, capturing their roles perfectly in an excellent display of teamwork that will take some beating.  To quote the author, the play gives value to ordinary lives, thoughts, feelings, experiences and concerns, and these four performers exploited it to the full.

With a secret crush on Jan,  Chris Davies played their dead-pan  supervisor in admirable fashion.    Mike Asprey`s comical rendition as the TV race commentator was a good foil for Shelly.  There were good cameos from Rob Hodkinson, quietly effective as the Jockey,  and Mark Pardner  the hilarious drunken gambler.  The cast was completed by John Freeman as a bookie and Callum Rodgers, a ticket tout.

This was one of the funniest pieces I have seen for a long time and Martin Illson has created a superb piece along with an excellent cast, who all fitted their roles perfectly

A good set, costumes, sound and lighting completed the excellent production,  and finally I`m told the four ladies got  to meet Tony Christie, Wow.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.