Review: Ladies Day at The Oakwood Centre, Woodley
Barrie Theobald • Published 10 May 2010 09:00
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MANY readers will recall when a Royal Ascot meeting was transferred to York Racecourse while the new grandstand was rebuilt.
Amanda Whittington's delightful play used this detail as the centre piece of her work, following the fortunes of four fish factory workers as they forsake their overalls for one day of glamour at the races.
Under Gary Ellmes' detailed direction, the four ladies gradually reveal personalities concealed by their day-to-day routine.
Jo Boseley as the extrovert Shelly who managed to catch the eye of a television presenter and felt sure her day would lead to a life in higher society; Sam Rogers competently showed that underneath Jan's hard exterior was someone longing for comfort, her inebriated scene being exceptionally well-handled; Carole Hewitt as staid Pearl touchingly revealed the secret of her long-time affair; and Stef Dodd was excellent as the naive Linda who found there was more to life than listening to Tony Christie.
The male cameo roles were performed by Neil Oxley, Jim McClure and the director himself.
The Yorkshire accents were maintained through and this Woodley Theatre production certainly proved to be a winning ride!
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 06 May 10
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