The much awaited follow-up to last years’ huge success, ‘Ladies Day’ opened this week at New Vic. Amanda Whittington’s original tale followed four ladies from a Hull fish packing factory who struck it big at Royal Ascot winning a six-horse accumulator.
Picking up from there we wonder what next for the quartet. Jetting off for a break to Australia each of them find themselves on their own very personal journeys which paves the way for warmth and gentle humour. We learn how the win has affected each one individually and collectively as a group of work friends.
Returning back from the original production we see Jo Patmore, Kate Wood, Tanya-Loretta Dee and Annie Kirkman reprise their roles. Joining them is also original cast member from last year, Gareth Cassidy. And, after their brilliant performances last year, you could not imagine it being any other way. Richard Lund joins the cast in the additional role, new to the sequel.
The casting adds much to the continuation of the story from the get-go. As an audience member I found myself not only invested in the characters in the story, but it adds so much more, having been wowed with ‘Ladies Day’ to see the original cast returning in the same roles.
They brilliantly bring back to life, the original characters and it is a wonderful collective performance.
Tanya-Loretta Dee delivers again with aplomb in a wonderful portrayal of Jan, working through her original vulnerabilities and insecurities, gaining confidence as the story progresses.
Jo Patmore is great as Linda, really sensing the character’s struggle to still find her place in the world (and in the group) possibly exacerbated by her windfall and going through a metaphorphosis as her journey plays out.
Annie Kirkman gave a great performance as Shelley, the brassy and brash exterior still a hard shell protecting herself and the true person underneath.
Kate Wood gave a really solid performance as Pearl and her journey as archetypal stalwart that everyone turns to, taking a very personal journey of her own hiding a secret from the group.
Gareth Cassidy and Richard Lund play several characters in the piece and playing such diverse roles too! They absolutely add to the comedy and colourfulness of the production.
The set and props are simplistic and don’t need to be anything but that, they are used cleverly and to full effect. Some of the set changes are comedic moments in their own right.
For those who have seen it on the stage before, it offers so much more seeing it again in the round and gives it an extra dimension. And for those who haven’t seen ‘Ladies Day’, it’s by no means a pre-requisite and enough of the back story is there for it to be taken as a piece on its own.
The performance really warms. Its gentle, funny and touching in moments. It closes the book on the story of the characters, leaving the audience to plan in their own minds what happens next, but its such an easy and enjoyable watch.
It’s a witty, warm, well executed and a joy to watch.
The show is on until 30th March with several matinees and tickets available from the box office or online here: https://www.newvictheatre.org.uk/productions/ladies-down-under/
Photos by kind permission of Andrew Billington
