Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
One of my favourite theatrical experiences was reviewing the performance a couple of years back of playwright Amanda Whittington’s Ladies’ Day by the same company, not only because of the performers’ admirable stage presence but because it featured one of my favourite cities, Hull … who some might describe as the Sitra of England.
After hitting the jackpot following a day at the races, the fish-filleting foursome – Pearl (Anne Koheji), Jan (Esther Ghuloom), Shelley (Bethany Malcolm) and Linda (Hannah Lynch) decided to reunite and celebrate in style with a trip to Australia.
As they travel from Hull to the Gold Coast, Uluru and the bright lights of Sydney, they embark on a journey of self-discovery wrapped up in a roller-coaster of emotion.
The cast manages to captivate the audience with Koheji excelling in the role of a cold fish who is hiding a secret and without giving the game away, let’s just say that taking to the stage in October is particularly apt.
In fact, the inner-depths of all the main characters have been cleverly captured by some strong performances delivered with emotion and a subtle touch of humour.
The play is well crafted and the message is clearly portrayed throughout that money alone rarely brings happiness and that bulging bank balances do not make it easier to find love, guarantee good health or provide peace of mind.
Spend-spend-spend Shelley sees there’s more to Oz than sun-kissed beaches, dizzy Linda gets the chance to sparkle in more ways than one and the challenges of natural forces have to be overcome for Jan to find true love.
‘Life is what happens when you’re making other plans’ clearly defines this offering and some hilarious performances from the supporting cast, from camp British Airways flight attendants to carnival capers by a collective of drag queens will surely have the audiences rolling in their seats. Check out Koala Bare (Tom Hanratty) and Bondi Bitch (Richard Silver) and you’ll know what I mean.
This fast-moving production is a triumph for directors Carrie Bell, Anne Koheji and Marina Tadayon and the company’s backstage crew. It is cleverly crafted with classic Aussie hits from Kylie, of course, Men at Work, and even the theme tune from TV soap Home & Away, with an added touch of disco queen, Gloria Gaynor, in all the right places.
A donation from ticket sales will be given to Think Pink Bahrain to support the charity’s efforts to raise awareness about breast cancer. Running until Thursday, tickets are priced at BD5 (BD7 non-members) with the curtain up tonight at 8pm. Tomorrow’s dinner theatre event with dining from 6.45pm-7.45pm costs BD12 (BD14 non-members).
– Stan Szecowka
