Ladies Down Under

Ladies Down Under by Amanda Whittington follows four fish factory workers, Pearl, Jan, Shelley, and Linda, a year after their big win in the previous play, ‘Ladies Day’, staged last year by Waddington Dramatic Society.  They celebrate with a trip to Australia. The play explores their individual journeys and the unexpected challenges they face in the outback, including health problems, love, and a search for freedom. Each woman discovers a different side of herself and realizes there's more to life than they initially thought. They each find they are on a very different journey. Shelley searches for glamour and Jan for love, Linda wishes they were back at the fish factory and Pearl deals with an Uluru-sized secret.

I found a very warm welcome at Waddington Village Hall by David, Julie and Joan. The front of house team served refreshments, sold raffle tickets and chatted to all the members of the audience. It was clear that a community has built around WDS who are eager to support you.

Your staging was excellent. It was lovely to see Peter Cheseldine (Lights and special effects), David Brown (follow spot), and Techie David Ridout working so well together to enhance the show. The backdrops were painted by the very talented Adrian Peill and they looked stunning, featuring Uluru and the outback, with Aboriginal style painted panels. These panels gave the stage structure for both internal and external scenes. I loved the sunrise effect, very well done. The play takes place in airports, a plane, hotels, campsites, surfers beach, and Mardi Gras. Julie’s direction and staging ideas fleshed out the characters struggles and friendships. She created suspense, harmonious comedy and delightful party atmosphere at different parts of the play. Once again Robert Steadman-Hill created a piece of music evocative of the Aboriginal sound, you are fortunate indeed to have him as part of the creative team.

I enjoyed seeing the same lead actors bringing their characters to life again. Each of their story arcs were intricate, sometimes profound, yet bringing the power of female relationships to the fore. They wound each other up, spurred each other on, commiserated, celebrated and each shone in their own way. Wonderful. Maria Wagstaff as Pearl gave the competent performance I have come to expect, demonstrating warmth, uncompromising strength and devotion to her friends. Her acting choices brought her characters health issues and worries into the story, well before we heard her tell her friends what was on her mind. This suspense was built well. Abby Innes seems to have grown in confidence onstage and I enjoyed Shelley’s story. Abbey performed well in her scene’s but particularly during the scenes with Danny. Neil Markland is a consummate actor who is generous and confident on stage. Every scene with him in brought up the pace, and he instilled confidence in his fellow actors and the audience. My favourite part was the Bill and Ben scene, a flight crew, who did a brilliant camp ‘welcome on board’ duet. Neil always lights up the stage.

Kayleigh Devon as the kindly Linda was played in a delightful softness and warm-hearted, way, Linda is overwhelmed by her prize money, but a chance encounter at Mardi Gras, brings a strong and glamourous side to her. Kayleigh took the lead in the party dance scene and she absolutely shone. Joan King played lost and lonely Jan. Jan keeps getting in her own way, unable to accept love and stressing out about where her life is going. Joan played this very well, she showed us the agitation within Jan and her yearning for a new direction in her life, yet unable to allow herself to take those steps, despite her friends’ encouragement. Andy Brown played Jan’s love interest Joe. These two actors had real chemistry on stage, and so the audience were invested in their on / off relationship. Plus, you got a cheer from the audience for that kiss.

Newcomer Harry Lawrence played Shane the Surfer, a strong portrayal of a beach, surfer dude. He has excellent acting skills and enhanced the Mardi Gras scene with panache. Tony Graves played Tom and Charlie, good solid performances.  The Mardi Gras scene was a revelation. Gary Wright was brave, stunning and golden, as Koala Bare, and delightful as Ben one of the camp air crew. Gary gave everything to this role, strutting, dancing and portrayed the warmth of Koal Bare, with aplomb. Gary, you gave an excellent performance and especially well managed in those heels. Dale Storey as Bondi Bitch also delighted audience members with a drag stand up performance. He confidently took the heckles from the audience and portrayed the bitchy glamourous character in opulent flamboyant ways. The whole atmosphere of the Mardi Gras with PRIDE, colour and feathers was brilliant. You had the audience clapping along and enjoying the outlandish performances.  I might have shortened the dance number slightly, as it did seem long, my thoughts are that give them just enough and leave them wanting more. I did enjoy the ‘march’ coming through the audience and you managed to get everyone clapping along, waving PRIDE flags and singing.

Wardrobe – Jane Kelly, a good example of costuming on a tight budget. I enjoyed the girl’s t-shirts getting dirty and torn during their time in the outback. I loved Gary’s gold costume and all the Mardi Gras outfits and wigs. The beach costumes were lovey and suited each character; overall, each item enhanced the story line and helped the characterisation. There were some quick changes too, so even more effort had to be given to ensure costumes could be changes smoothly. This all went well, as far as I could see. Well done

Your program is good, including the NODA new logo and statement. Once again, I’m sure you will do well in the program competition 2025. I enjoyed reading the added elements which some groups leave out. Something about the author for instance and thank you to the local businesses who have supported the show. I enjoyed interesting facts about ‘dreamtime’ and Uluru historical information. Lovely to read before the show and a souvenir to remember the show by. The theme of the program also echoed the paintings on your set, which shows me you can create a co-ordinate look which boosted the audience experience.

I was charmed by Julie’s usual attention to detail; jewellery choices, (Gary especially), the printed props (leaflets and brochures), the right shoes, departures board and signage. Charon Harmston’s Tannoy announcements, special lighting and sound effects. The cautious use of haze, lights and hazard rails for the bush-fire scene was very clever. The campfire, carefully lit by Danny at the beginning of the outback part of the play and extinguished by Joe when they all left. Always a pleasure to see Julie embellish the stage with thoughtful choices.

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