The Revlon Girl

The Revlon Girl ... a Drama staged by Wigan Little Theatre at Wigan Little Theatre Compton Street, Wigan on Friday 31st January 2025

I am old enough to remember exactly where I was when I heard there had been a mining accident in the South Wales village of Aberfan. I can still recall the tone of voices relating the news. The initial disbelief the feelings of helplessness and instant thought of compassion for the parents.

At approximately 9-15 on a rainy October morning in 1966 in the South Wales village of Aberfan the local mines slag and slurry tip collapsed and within seconds almost 150,000 tons of the lethal mixture enveloped the local school killing one hundred and sixteen children and twenty-eight adults. There had been lone voices warning of possible problems should the stack become unstable but management and unions had colludedto ignore fearing the mine would become unprofitable.

It was the playwright Anton Chekhov who said "People who are brought together by a shared tragedy feel a certain relief when they are together!”

In Neil Anthony Docking's award winning play a small group of the bereaved mothers come together each week in a sparse room above a pub to talk, cry and even laugh without feeling guilty. For one such meeting in an attempt to bring some normality back into their lives the women guiltily invite a make-up sales lady to give them some beauty tips.

This play is a brave choice for any Director because weakness in any of the characters or scenes quickly becomes apparent. In this production the Director (Veronica Teasdale) successfully casts and managed with imagination and sensitivity to bring the authors characters to life.

The opening foreboding almost ethereal music, frightening sound effects and perfect lighting on the distant shroud of black hills created just the right atmospheric environment for the characters to step into. A positive team effort, every actor faithfully recreated their characters, all avoided the over dramatic trap and gave beautifully understated performances.....

‘Sion’ (Helen Grey) your speech detailing the husbands lack of affection delivered with genuine feelings and emotions.

‘Revlon’ (Ayesha Morris) constantly conveyed a character walking on eggshells but with the best intentions.

‘Rona’ (Erinna Delaney) each waking hour wanting to hit out at something. Your speech about queuing to identify your son delivered with just the right amount of inner aggression.

‘Jean’ (Tara Heywood) totally convincing as the minister’s wife and committee member.

‘Marilyn’ (Charlotte Grundy) a perfect portrayal of inner rage... well done Marilyn.

It may seem strange to mention ‘comic timing’ in this play, but where the writer has skilfully taken the tempo of the dialogue to a climax only to be dropped by a flippant remark or joke, delivered with perfect timing by the cast. Really good accents maintained throughout.

Costumes matched the characters persona perfectly- excellent choices. Off stage crew unobtrusive but all executed perfectly.

I really liked the understated the final bows ... it seemed to dove tail perfectly with the mood of the play.

All on stage must have recognised genuine appreciative applause.

An excellent night of real Theatre.

Thank you for the warm welcome and courtesy shown to me.

Stay safe, keep well…
‘Stronger Together’

David Davies
On behalf of
NODA NW
District 6

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