Charlotte Holguin delights in her directorial debut with this revival of Amanda Whittington’s highly entertaining and humorous play which tells the story of four fish filleters from Hessle whose lives may be about to change for ever as work becomes play to provide the perfect backdrop for a tale of fractured lives, thwarted ambitions, secrets, hidden heartache, and enduring friendships
We meet our ladies suitably bedecked on the fish-packing line: Pearl (Angela McComb) is about to leave – not retiring mind – to spend more time with her husband; Jan (Lorna Pout) is a single mother whose only child is about to leave for University; Shelley (Laura Powell) is a reality TV wannabee; and Linda (Jasmine Oates), the youngest, is cowed from a domineering mother. Cornered into a send-off, and with the blessing of benign supervisor Joe (Tom Large in the first of four cameos:), Pearl opts for Royal Ascot at York.
Arriving suitably attired our ladies navigate their way around a tout (Large) before eventually finding an alternative way to enter before deciding to bet on an accumulator: six horses bearing Tony Christie hits. Once in and all eyes are on TV pundit Jim McCormack (Connor Jones) – well certainly Shelley’s who revels under a different guise for the raffish turf expounder – whilst Linda finds solace in sympathetic and understanding jockey Patrick (Jones).
But between the races things begin to unravel through some beautifully written and superbly performed touching scenes expounding fear and loneliness that I found particularly moving, much to the credit of the cast, before we twist with a drunk (Large) and turn with bookie Barry (Large), in a race to the final hurdle back at the factory.
Whittington’s writing is superb, and the cast excel in their delivery with perfect East Riding of Yorkshire accents maintained throughout and they all deserve their own mention: McComb perfectly captures the apparently prim and proper Pearl and having enjoyed her performances in support roles previously, it was a pleasure to see her deservedly taking a lead one here.
Pout’s Jan provides some great comic entertainment which is cleverly offset by moments of realism; Powell is superb as the larger-than-life Shelley who might appear all tart but deep down has a heart; Oates impresses as the naïve Linda who grows into herself to a chorus of Tony Christie. Large showcased his talent through a series of vignettes whilst Jones wrung everything and more from two excellent characterisations.
Special mention to Stage Manager Catherine Flower who cleverly delivered a series of neatly staged scenes transforming seamlessly between factory and racecourse and back again. Light and sound from Duncan Young and Scott Inglis provided the perfect accompaniment to both the factory and racecourse scenes carefully crafted by Carol Golightly and Robert Bowes with the support of Tim Saint and Hayley Jeffrey.
The ultimate credit goes to Holguin: you wouldn’t have bet against her, but you knew it was a sure thing when the rhythm and pacing segued perfectly with the great comic timing from a talented cast, meaning that each and every one of the overly full house tonight was a winner.
Thingwall Players is a community theatre based in the Wavertree Garden Suburb in South Liverpool with a history stretching back over seventy-five years. Further information including details of their next production at https://www.facebook.com/ThingwallPlayers/
Ladies’ Day plays at Thingwall Community Centre 10th – 12th April with performances starting at 7.30pm. Tickets priced at £10 are available via www.trybooking.com/uk/ELVC
Reviewer: Mark Davoren
Reviewed: 10th April 2025
North West End UK Rating: