IT IS the kind of outing many women just love. A chance to get dressed up in those killer heels, your best frock and a statement hat.
And more and more are enjoying the thrill of an afternoon out at the races.
Ladies’ Days have become a racing certainty for a fun day out with friends.
Now Huddersfield Thespians are hoping that the odds are equally good on a play of that name becoming a hot favourite with theatregoers.
The society has put its money on Amanda Whittington’s champagne comedy being a bit hit as its season’s opener.
The production opens in the main house at the Lawrence Batley Theatre on Tuesday October 11.
Performances run each evening until Saturday with the actors under starters orders from 7.30pm. There is also a Saturday matinee at 2.15pm.
Veronica Moran has had a team of six actors working hard for just five weeks to give audiences a Ladies’ Day to remember.
Picture the scene. There are four women, Pearl, Jan, Shelley and Linda. Their day job doesn’t offer much glamour.
They work in a fish-filleting factory so the day wear is wellingtons, white coats, rubber gloves and hair nets.
So when the chance comes to get out the glad rags and celebrate as Royal Ascot comes to York, who can resist.
“I gave them their books in August and I wanted them to learn their lines as quickly as they could because in the first scene, they are meant to be filleting fish,” said Veronica.
And for that you need to concentrate – and not just on what you are saying!
“But the cast have been great and knew their lines when we came to start rehearsing that first scene.”
Veronica is both an experienced actress and director. She has been a member of Huddersfield Thespians for 40 years but has also worked with other societies across the district.
“I was about 30 when I first joined and now I’m 72! They were doing something in the park and we had to dress up as suffragettes.
“I was in the rehearsal room after that helping with costumes and then Ken Greenwood came and asked me if I would play a maid in one of the productions.”
Since then Veronica has played many roles and worked as director and stage manager. She’s doing both those jobs on this current show, but likes to act when she’s offered roles.
“I was in A Woman Of No Importance in Halifax recently playing Lady Hunstanton who is a dear old lady.
“I’m also committed to doing the panto in Kirkheaton again this year and we’ve started rehearsing for that on Sundays. It’s on at the end of November and I’m directing that.”
At the Thespians, Veronica is delighted to have a cast which includes quite a few new faces.
“They came to a new members’ evening and I said I would dearly love to include some of those new members in this show.
“If people come along as new members, it can sometimes be some time before we can get them into a show.
“Since I’d been asked to direct the opening show of the season, I though this was a good opportunity to give them a chance.”
Melanie Duff, Lynne Whittaker, Louise Hardy and Tom Ward are all making their company debuts in this show.
“I think Melanie and Lynn knew each other and both have appeared in amateur productions before though not with the Thespians,” said Veronica.
“Tania Smith, who is also in the production, has done a production with me before but it was quite a while ago.”
David Smith, an engaging actor who has worked for a number of companies in the area, is a Thespian stalwart and happy to be playing a number of different characters in this fun show.
It has to be said though that it is actually the Ladies’ Day. See what happens when they get to throw off the white coats and have fun.
Equipment and fish boxes have the authentic whiff of the fish market thanks to a company at Red Doles and on Tuesday, the company gets the seal of approval when the Mayor of Kirklees strolls on stage as one of the race-goers to aid his charity, the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.
Tickets from the box office on 01484 430528.
