Since it first appeared at Hull Truck Theatre in 2005 – the year that Royal Ascot headed north to York – Amanda Whittington’s affectionate comedy Ladies’ Day has become one of its publisher’s most performed works.
The story follows the mixed fortunes of a quartet of workers from a fish packing firm in Hull, who decide to take the opportunity to rub shoulders with the elite set by spending a day at the races. The materfamilias of the group, Pearl, is taking early retirement, and decides to push the boat out by blowing her rainy day fund on the big day out. They have all however underestimated the inflated cost of tickets from a tout, and it looks as if they may be non-runners, until Tony Christie megafan Linda discovers a mislaid purse in the ladies’ containing four passes. The redoubtable Jan has brought the packed lunch of champions, and the enthusiastic but not very streetwise Shelley is on the lookout for celebrities.
The windfall of tickets frees up Pearl’s kitty and the group’s sangfroid is soon dissolving rapidly in champagne, whilst they pin their hopes on Linda’s accumulator bet, made up of horses that share names with Tony Christie songs, in lieu of any of them understanding racing form.
Sue Elliott, Paula Condliffe-Hughes, Olivia Jones and Megan Oberg have lovely chemistry as the group of co-workers, and all four succeed in portraying the gradual inebriation of their characters without ever over-egging their performances. Meanwhile, proving that multi-tasking is not a female preserve, Ian Lancaster manages to play no less than six roles, from the works foreman to a lascivious TV presenter with a black-belt in tic-tac.
This is certainly a show played for laughs, but it has a heart to it too. Co-directors Jonathan Johnston and Dani Zebrowska steer a clear path between the lighthearted comedy and the underlying pathos as the women’s back-stories are gradually revealed.
Designer Keith Long and his team have created a cunning bit of timber-framed origami in a clever set that transforms swiftly from factory to Knavesmire and back again, and the costumes by Charlie Núñez perfectly complement the varied personalities of the characters.
It is easy to understand why this play has become so popular with theatre groups, and it makes a great vehicle for the company and a hugely entertaining night out for its audience. It would be nice to see this well balanced cast reassembled for one or more of the two sequels that Whittington has written.
The cast of Ladies' Day - picture by Stephen Cain
This review was originally written for publication by Good News Liverpool
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