Reviewed by Cate Norris
Four factory girls, Pearl, Shelley, Linda and Jan are granted day release from packing fish in order to give soon to be retired Pearl the ultimate send off with a day at the races. Swapping their overalls and hair nets for frocks and fascinators, the fab four head off to Wolverhampton Racecourse for Ladies’ Day. Discovering the event sold out upon arrival it seems they are in luck when they discover a Chanel purse containing four tickets and all the cash they need for a merry day at the races. Their lucky break is just the start of things to come and their good fortune turns into a winning streak when every horse they bet on comes in first and brings them closer and closer to bagging the half a million jackpot.
Throughout the course of the day secrets are shared which reveal who the characters really are and test the friendships between the group. On the surface they appear an unlikely batch yet they are all brought together because of a shared love for packing fish and Tony Christie. Single parent Jan, (Cheryl Fergison) a self-declared ‘mother first’, has had her life on hold since she had daughter Clair; Pearl (Deena Payne) has been stuck in a unhappy marriage for as long as she can remember; Shelley (Emma Rigby) longs for all the glamour and recognition that she can’t afford; Linda (Risn O’Neill) wants to be loved and respected by her mother instead of used and abused. Fish and Tony aside, all of the ladies want more from life and there is a character that everyone can relate to.
Performances were standout from the four main ladies as well and Sean McKenzie who had the huge task of playing every Joe, Patrick and Barry (I really wish his character names were Tom, Richard and Harry). Cheryl Fergison has clearly been researching the Wulfrunian under the influence of alcohol as she’s an absolute natural and performed an amazing drunk scene! Emma Rigby was hilarious. Her energy, expression and commanding strut across the stage were fixating but the Wolves accent was a little dodgy. Both Deena Payne and Risn O’Neill delivered high quality, classy performances and reminded that this is a cast of professionals.
The real-life Tony Christie provided the soundtrack, popping up with an aptly chosen track from his catalogue to emphasise the moment or highlight the inner most thoughts and feelings of the characters on stage which was quite clever really and most appreciated by the audience.
All that is left to be said is that Ladies’ Day is funny and fabulous with frolics galore and plenty of local area reference to keep the audience amused. Ya cor miss it!
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £14.50 to £27.50 (booking fees may apply).
Ladies’ Day is at the Wolverhampton Grand from 13-28 July 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit www.grandtheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01902 429 212.
The Grand Theatre Wolverhampton, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DE
