Ladies Down Under – The New Vic Theatre

Ladies Down Under – The New Vic Theatre

By Amanda Whittington

All photographs courtesy of Andrew Billington

I love a sequel – and it seems like only yesterday that we were escorting these lovely ladies to the races!

The same delightful cast, but this time we are on our way to Australia with the gang – Jan (Tanya-Loretta Dee), Linda (Jo Patmore), Shelley (Annie Kirkman) and Pearl (Kate Wood). This is of course all down to a big win at the races– and despite changes in their lives, they have come together for the trip of a lifetime.

Now to the boys – last time Gareth Cassidy was the sole male representative – this time he has company in the form of Richard Lund.  From the outset Gareth and Richard are a great partnership on stage – they were there to put the laughs into the play and they certainly do.  I have to mention Gareth’s face – it is so versatile and such an asset to any theatre production (and Gareth too of course!)

The script and dialogue is simple but fabulous and we go through many different emotions – romance, the feeling of loss, the impact of illness, fun ….. everything.

All six actors are excellent – we understand and relate to each one of them especially those of us who watched Ladies Day.  This, coupled with a great script with dry one-liners and fantastic costumes, music, scenery and lighting make Ladies Down Under a must-see production.  The music is fantastic and you cannot help but still be singing the upbeat disco tunes days later!

So .. Ladies Down Under is on at the New Vic until 30^th March, and it is definitely worth a visit – it is lovely to relax, have a good old laugh and jig around in your seat to the music.

We are so fortunate to have the New Vic, our theatre in the round, right here in Newcastle-under-Lyme, because plays always seem more intimate and welcoming in the round. We loved it!

To find out more, visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk