Hull Truck Theatre Company are bringing their latest comedy Ladies Day to Perth, the only venue in Scotland, from Tuesday 10 to Saturday 21 October 2006. 

Ladies Day follows the lives of four fish factory workers who find life just one hard slog, spending their days trimming and packing fish in a Hull Factory. However, things take a dramatic flip when they find tickets to Ladies Day at Royal Ascot, and ditch their wellies, hairnets and overalls to sample a taste of the high life.

But things never turn out as imagined and the girls end up getting more than they bargained for in the cut-throat world of the bookies.

The play is written by Nottingham-based writer Amanda Whittington, has also had success with plays Be My Baby and Satin ‘n’ Steel. Amanda is recognised as an intelligent, popular writer with a particular ability to encapsulate the aspirations of unglamorous women who feel they deserve better.

In Ladies Day, you probably couldn’t find a more unglamorous work outfit than that of a fish-factory worker – which is the occupations of the four female cast members.

Meet Pearl (Annie Sawle) age 50 who is about to retire and spend more time with her husband; Linda (Lucy Beaumont) a shy girl who is obsessed with Tony Christie; Jan (Sue McCormick) a middle aged divorcee preoccupied with food and a life that revolves around her daughter; leggy Shelley (Jemma Walker) who loves money, glamour and is certain she’s destined for better things.

Not forgetting the only male actor Martin Barrass who plays a multitude of characters in this female dominated production.

Amanda Whittington came up with the idea of Ladies Day while speaking to the Director, Gareth Tudor Price. He recalled working in York and seeing gangs of women going to the races, dolled up in posh frocks, hats and shoes. Then at the end of the day, seeing them go home drunk, bedraggled, hats skew-wiff with shoes in their hand - but all living their individual lives with their own story to tell.

“This was an opportunity to have some fun and to create a really strong, character-led drama,” says Amanda. “The main characters are all working women, who swap their factory wellies and overalls for a glamorous day out. They’re fish out of water at Royal Ascot but that’s part of the fun.”

“We’ve got an interesting cast of characters who all combine to create the world of a racecourse – the four women, and a variety of people they meet on the day - a jockey, a TV commentator, a bookie and a down at heel gambler. Not forgetting some Tony Christie songs to link in with Linda’s fascination.”

“But ultimately, the play is about friendship, Royal Ascot gives it a context, but it’s a context in which friendship and the nature of friendship is explored,” adds Amanda.

Ladies Day is written by Amanda Whittington and directed by Gareth Tudor Price.
Perth Theatre Tue 10 - Sat 21 October 2006. 7.45pm and 2.30pm (matinees). Tickets £9.50 - £16 plus concessions. To book call 0845 612 6319 or log onto www.horsecross.co.uk