Ladies Down Under

The sequel to “Ladies Day” which the society performed last year “Ladies Down Under” proved to be another enormously popular choice with some of the original cast members and one or two new joining the cast, again worked so well together and gave the audience a very good evening’s entertainment.

The four ladies in the play who decided to travel to Australia with their winnings from Royal Ascot were so individual in their characters.

Lucy Foster playing Pearl was again superb in her role with such a natural feel for this fun loving lady, but also the “Mother Hen”to her friends from the fish packing factory.

The twist in the tale which came quite late in Act 2 took us all by surprise, and how wonderfully well Pearl informed her friends of her huge health worry and made light of dealing with it. I enjoyed Lucy’s performance very much.

Ali Crawley played Shelley with again a very real feel to her “couldn’t care less attitude.Ali worked well within the four ladies and fitted in so well.Tested at times for her attitude within the group, but ultimately her life took a complete turn on meeting Danny who really saw through her and shaped her future quite dramatically.

Helen Arbon as the shy retiring Jan reprised her role in a hugely down to earth manner. Scared of flying scared of almost everything but determined  to go with her workmates to Oz.

Helen held it all together, but how she changed her attitude on meeting up again with Joe played by Malcolm Hollister. Life was never going to be the same again and was such a switch to the delight of her three friends.

Linda played again by Sarah Byham has the most natural way on stage of getting into her character totally .Always the caring one always ready to give up anything for a worthy cause and relating to everyone at anytime.No airs and graces just a lovely person. The Mardi Gras scene was such fun in which Linda threw all to the wind and came into her own.

The four gentlemen in the production played a variety of characters ranging from Malcolm as Joe/Bill,l a very camp flight attendant, and Joe the love of Jan’s life. Both characters were spot on and very entertaining.

Nick Elliott as Ben/Shane/Bondi Bitch certainly had a variety of roles all in great contrasting styles..His Bondi Bitch was to be seen to believe!Very glamorous and quite a mover!

Danny the guy hitching across Australia played by Mark Littlewood, teamed up with Shelley and persuaded her to stay with him in a very subtle way. A smaller character role but very important in the storyline.

Lastly and by no means least, we had Richard Fawcett again playing such a variety of characters from Tom/Charlie/ Koala Bare . I think it fair to say Koala Bare will never be forgotten! Richard in drag was a sight to see with blonde wig gold platform shoes and full make up. Such a great fun part played as only Richard can and so enjoyed by the audience.

No set really except re-arranging chairs here and there,  sound effects and lighting really effective..A selection of music played during set changes fitted in so well with the theme of the production.

A really super evening’s entertainment .Will there be sequel number three  I wonder?

Perhaps still to be written by Amanda Whittington.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.