This month sees The Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool host Amanda Whittington’s play Ladies Day. First produced and staged by Hull Truck Theatre in 2005, the play stars three of Liverpool’s impressive and likeable female actors in Eithne Browne, Lynn Francis, Angela Simms and the trio are joined by Emmerdale’s Roxanne Pallet as a group of factory workers who all want different things out of life and decide to visit the world famous Aintree Racecourse. They are joined by the only male in the show Jack Lord who is sure to get the run around from this foursome of impressive women.
Lynn Francis is a Liverpool favourite, part of an acting family that has thrilled the city in television performances and on the stage. Lynn last performed at The Royal Court during the winter season spectacular and monster smash hit of A Nightmare On Lime Street alongside her husband and daughter. With a very different role in mind for Ms. Francis six months on, I am able to catch up briefly between breaks in rehearsals and talk about the upcoming and much anticipated production.
How are the rehearsals going for the show Lynn?
Lynn: “They are going really, really well actually. We’ve got a really good stage for the show, and it’s very chilled and nice like! It’s going at a very good pace at the moment and Ken Alexander is amazing to work with, he’s a lovely guy and it just makes for a great atmosphere all round.”
It’s his first show as Artistic Director isn’t it?
Lynn: “It’s the first one as Artistic Director but not his first show at the Royal Court though. It’s his first biggie though; he has a lot riding in his new role.”
It’s interesting that you mention riding as the play is set at Aintree; do you have a love of horses or racing yourself?
Lynn: “I’ve attended Aintree many times in the past, Michael, my husband and I (Michael Starke – Sinbad from Brookside) were invited with corporate hospitality nearly every year and it was amazing and we’d have the most wonderful day. I’m not a big racing person by any means, I have no idea about betting, and I put a pound on each way!”
You’re working with some fabulous women and the wonderful Jack Lord of course, has it all gelled working with Eithne and Angela for example?
Lynn: “From day one, at the photo shoot we got on famously, I’ve known Eithne for years so I’ve always wanted to work with her. Angela is lovely, Roxanne wasn’t at the photo shoot but at the first day of rehearsals I just knew I’d get on with her. She’s just one of those people who are just lovely. We are just like mates, we come in each morning and we’re happy to be working together.”
That’s good to know! It is a show that rides a lot on friendship isn’t it?
Lynn: We’re doing very well; it’s mirroring the friendships because we’re getting closer and closer!”
Eithne is an institution and very brilliant, I adore her and Angela is one of my favourite actors in Liverpool.
Lynn: “I’d never met Angela before but she’s amazing honestly!”
It must be nice coming back to the Royal Court again as you were there at Christmas weren’t you?
Lynn: “Yes, I just love the Royal Court! I have a little soft spot for this theatre because of what it’s doing, the way it’s come through and what Kevin Fearon’s done with it. It’s amazing, it says what it does, it gives a lot of local actors work, some theatres say they will but they don’t; this one does and that’s why I love the Royal Court really. It’s true to itself.”
You were great at Christmas in A Nightmare On Lime Street, It must have felt like a family affair with your husband Michael in it and your daughter Jamie too. It was a really great Christmas show.
Lynn: “You know, it really was, it was so much fun to do. For me, it was having fun with my family on stage! It couldn’t get much better than that!”
Does it feel funny that you’re doing a big summer show after the long run at Christmas?
Lynn: “The thing is that this feels like a family as well. It really does because when I met Angela, I know loads of people who know her so you begin to feel that you’ve known them forever! It really truly is like a little family, it’s lovely and Roxanne has slotted into it really well.”
Bearing in mind the family angle as well, do you think that Amanda Whittington’s script still holds up after all the years she’s written it?
Lynn: “Yes I do, we’ve kind of tweaked it a little bit here to bring it into Liverpool with the language is slightly different as it was set in Yorkshire but I guess it does. Every single issue that’s in there and those issues that are going on with people today, people see themselves in, you know, the play itself is basically about relationships and their lives and that is on-going all the time.”
It also sounds like it’s given you the opportunity to take off the shed the clothes you had at Christmas and really dress up for this event.
Lynn: “Yes, these are real people with real issues; they’ve all got their own little battles going on inside themselves. It’s really good to play a more emotional role.”
I’ve spoken to a lot of people and they are really looking forward to seeing this particular show.
Lynn: “It’s really good and we are loving doing it and I’m sure that will come across from the stage.”
Thank You Lynn, I really do appreciate you taking time out to speak to me.
Ladies Day runs at The Royal Court Theatre from the 14th June till 13th July. Tickets are available from The Royal Court Box office.