Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Cast: Eithne Browne, Lynne Francis, Roxanne Pallett, Angela Simms, Jack Lord.
The glitter, the finery, the new frocks and strange alien language truly known only by a smattering of people can only mean one thing; that Amanda Whittington’s play Ladies Day is in Liverpool and under starter’s orders to go down as one of the great feel good productions of 2013.
The Royal Court has gone all out to make the start of the summer season one to really remember and in hosting Amanda Whittington’s superb work, it really sets the temperature soaring and the four women who make life in the fish packing factory a real laugh as they discuss what they had for their tea, the latest music styles and the shock of losing one of their own to retirement. Of course there is no better way to celebrate leaving somewhere that with a little flutter on The Tote and finding out more about your friends and colleagues than you ever expected.
The play benefits from having some of the best female actors, of which there is a healthy and confident abundance, in Liverpool taking part and a very special introduction to the Merseyside way of life on stage in Ms. Pallett. Eithne Browne as the much respected Pearl who hides a secret, Lynne Francis as the amazing Jan and Angela Simms, the young woman with the Tony Christie fixation all radiate class and joy even in the most unsettling of moments and Roxanne Pallett as fame hunting, backside grabbing Shelley who on this showing as the sassy but deep down good hearted co-worker, will always be assured an enthusiastic welcome on a Liverpool stage anytime. There are many plays that work well because of the team effort, trust and friendship that is evidence on the stage and Ladies Day is no exception.
Just because the title of the production suggests that the women have it all their own way, up pops the stallion in the team. Jack Lord excelled as every male character in the play, from the creepy television bookmaker, the loveable but ultimately famished jockey, the women’s foreman at the fish packing plant or the love of one of girl’s life, each part played with expert timing and a smiling, knowing eye.
Ladies Day isn’t just a performance; it is one of those wonderful human comedies that gets the very best out of a cast and crowd alike. Odds on that it will have audiences in stitches, be well fancied in the enclosure and first past the post with everyone.
Ian D. Hall