Ladies' Day

Inspired by the historic move of Royal Ascot from Berkshire to York in June 2005, Ladies’ Day by Amanda Wittington is a gentle comedy about the adventures of four fish-packers attending the famous race meeting. As the play unfolds we learn that all these ladies have underlying sadnesses, delusions, pressures and obsessions resulting, as they are revealed and overcome, in a closer bond between them. 

The front of house attention to detail was excellent with the theatre and FOH staff dressed to draw the audience into the racecourse experience. The set was open to view giving us time to absorb the simple layout of fish-gutting counters against a screen, which allowed projection of various backgrounds as we moved through the action.  What an inspired way of providing multiple settings; simple and fast to change with a switch and requiring only the addition of minimal props and furniture, moved by an inconspicuous team, to complete the various scenes.

Lighting was straightforward needing few special effects. Props were confidently handled, and these included fish trays, handbags, sandwiches and bottles.  It is a small point, perhaps, to pick up on minor details but I was puzzled by the dark (!) colour of the Champagne! I mention it because it illustrates an observation that something distracting the audience can mean that they are missing the action elsewhere on stage.

The costume change from authentic factory overalls and white boots to glad rags and Ascot hats was well achieved, choreographed to one of the Tony Christie tracks that accompanied much of the action throughout the play. The men’s outfits were appropriate and the jockey’s silks were excellent.

Direction demanded an energetic pace, the maintenance of accents and the contrasts between the different aspects of each of the ladies’ characters to be evident. We saw the quieter, more introspective side of our four ladies contrasting with their outward, workaday personae and felt the elation as they overcame their demons to move to a more hopeful future. All actors were audible with clear diction. 

This is a well-crafted play that is rightly a standard for amateur companies and, seeing it for the first time, I was very well entertained, both by the comic moments and the more intimate ones. Congratulations to everyone involved the production.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.