It's Gold Cup day at Cheltenham races, which apparently is the day after Ladies' Day, but who's counting? Pearl and her workmates Jan and Shelley are on a girls' day out, and they each have an admission to make.
This is an amiable play that keeps our attention by witholding the women's secrets and bringing each character to life as an an individual with real life experiences and attitudes. Pearl is on a secret mission, Jan's rationalisation of her non-sex life is due for a critique, and Shelley has a fateful appointment with the truth. The tone is light and funny, while sailing close to home truths - the kind of style that Debbie Horsfield does so well on TV (Making Out, Cutting It).
Pearl and Jan meet their challenges almost incidentally, as if they are ready to reveal material about themselves on this particular day, whereas Shelley has an encounter with a creepy commentator which prompts her transformation. The seeming lack of impetus to change in Pearl and Jan isn't all that noticeable though, because we're quickly caught up in the progress of the races - the women have an accumulator bet and their horses keep winning.
This version of Ladies' Day was adapted from a stage play produced by Hull Truck Theatre.
Pearl ...... Katharine Rogers
Jan ...... Lynda Rooke
Shelley ...... Louise Kempton
Kevin ...... John McAndrew
Jack ...... Robert Gwilym
Announcer ...... Charlie Parkin
Directed in Bristol by Sara Davies and broadcast on Wednesday 29 July 2009 at 14:15 on BBC Radio 4.
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