Player's Angels

Bolton Little Theatre take on Nottingham’s born Amanda Whittington’s play 'Players Angels'. Amanda being one of the most produced playwrights in UK.

You feel like you are watching history seeing this play, and it struck me how you could once smoke in the cinema. The industry that now has a target on its back and gave work to so many women. They were looked on as special, they were glamorous and well paid. Known as Players Angels. There is a hint at things to come when cancer and smoking affecting the lungs is mentioned.

The triptych set featuring Stage Right the seats in a cinema. In the centre was Glad’s parlour. Muted coloured wallpaper at the back and table with chairs centre. Standard lamp, sideboard with wireless, lamp and picture frame. Coat hooks on the backwall. Stage Left was a small area of the factory showing the production line with weigh scales for the tobacco. Coat hook at the back for work coats and hats. With a large Players Navy Cut logo above on the back wall. Set Builders Jeff Lunt, Steve Butler, Helen Livesey, Jade Mulraney, Peter Beckett, Jolyon Coombs and Andrew Gradwell. Stage Manager Janice Lyon. Props all in keeping - even an old-fashioned television. Props Dorothy Green, Viv Bloomfield and Kath Cheetham. Costumes all fitting and the blossoming of Mae evident in clothing and hairstyle. Wardrobe by Janet Hardman.

With the cast of four women and one-man Carol Butler directs this play focusing on friendship and camaraderie within the workplace that over spills into life. Nothing spectacular, just women going about their lives, we get a glimpse of their hope, fears and love interests and the secrets they hold. Until Mae arrives to change things only 15 - she is indeed wise beyond her years. With various songs to support The Very Thought of You being one of them by Nat King Cole.

Jack Clare takes on Bill the foreman and secret lover of Glad. 20 plus years her junior he is head over heels and his anger getting the better of him actually causes a catastrophe amongst the girls.

Julie Burrell as Vee newly married and already problems within the marriage its clear to see something is bothering her as she struggles with married life and juggling running a house. When she finally opens up Glad gives her some advice which helps. Nice scene.

Lindsay Farnworth takes on the role of Glad. Struggling with the past and staying true to her late husband’s memory we see the turmoil she goes through as she struggles with her feeling for the very much younger Bill. Seen now as a cougar she is torn between wanting Bill but worried about gossip. Great interactions with the other girls and you could see her turmoil played out. Lovely scene with Mae when she says she looks like her mother. Lindsay also played the protector well.

Mae played by Catherine Cropper arrives very gauche and naive. Although gauche she did not lack sensitivity and for one so young, gives Glad and Cyn a talking to so they do what they want not what is expected of them. As I said before Catherine really looked like a 15-year-old and we saw her grow before our eyes into a confident young lady.

Last but not least was Rebecca Carney playing Cyn who lived her life through movies and dreamt of escaping the factory. Glamorous and playful her energy was evident when on the stage lifting the scenes. So, the contrast after the accident worked well. And thanks to Mae she regains that energy. Lovely performance

Thank you so much for the invite and hospitality and just to mention Cheryl Patricia Walker who did the signed performance. Again, thank you from my guest Matthew and I.

 

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5

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