L to R: Gareth Cassidy, Tanya-Loretta Dee, Annie Kirkman, Jo Patmore, Kate Wood
The opener for Bolton Octagon's spring season (March 8-April 1) is popular northern comedy Ladies Day - inspired by the temporarary move Royal Ascot made to York in 2005 while Ascot was undergoing redevelopment.
A joint production with Newcastle-under-Lyme's New Vic theatre, Amanda Whittington’s comedy follows a female foursome of friends who swap their typical working day at a fish-filleting factory for fascinators and a day at the races. The play has done the round of the reps and been adapted for radio since it was first staged by Hull Truck in 2005.
The Octagon's cast is: Gareth Cassidy (Marvellous, New Vic); Tanya-Loretta Dee (Sirens, Mercury Theatre, Family Album, Stephen Joseph Theatre); Annie Kirkman (The Hound of the Baskervilles, East Riding Theatre, Beryl, Arcola); Jo Patmore (As You Like It, Northern Broadsides, Frost Hollow Hall, East Riding Theatre) and Kate Wood (Brassed Off).
Director Marieke Audsley added: “It's such a funny, heart-warming story, about four fabulous friends. I very much hope audiences will love meeting and being entertained by them.”
Ladies’ Day is at the New Vic (February 3-25), before transferring to the Octagon.
More info and tickets here