Band Of Gold
Format: Play
Genre: Drama
Writer: Kay Mellor
Cast: Gaynor Faye, Laurie Brett, Emma Osman, Sacha Parkinson, Kieron Richardson, Shayne Ward, Andrew Dunn, Mark Sheals & Steve Garti
Review Date: February 24 2020
Performances: February 24-29 2020, 7.30pm & 2.30 matinees
Location: Floral Pavilion, New Brighton
Duration: 165 Minutes incl. Interval
Age Rating: 16+
Kay Mellor has brought Band Of Gold to the stage after the first of two successful series aired on ITV in 1995 with an audience of over 15 million. The stage adaptation is set in the early 1990s and explores themes of debt, mental health and poverty, and it has now come to New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion.
Synopsis
The play illustrates authentic characters; not parodies of sex workers, but real people in realistic situations, and the audience were invested from the beginning. The show reflected the television series, but portrayed in the medium of live theatre. It was brought to life in 3D as it were. The isolation of characters on-stage was really effective, and the sound and lighting worked well.
We get to know the main female characters again: Rose (Gaynor Faye), who maintains that she runs the show, is hard-nosed and brittle, with an on-off relationship with drugs; a tart with a heart.
Laurie Brett of EastEnders fame plays Anita, who is the most senior lady of the group. Wiser but still trusting enough to be duped by her ‘boyfriend’ (a married man who pays the rent on the flat that she sub-lets to the girls if they need a bedroom to use), Laurie has the opportunity to use her singing voice in this production, and she is really good!
Emma Osman plays Carol, who is brash and defensive but obviously damaged by past experiences, and she wants the best for her daughter. Osman captures her dark humour, and we see how her cleaning OCD helps her feel in control in some way of her desperate situation.
Gina, played by Sacha Parkinson, illustrates how easy it could be to fall into sex work. Recently estranged from an abusive partner Steve (played brilliantly by Kieron Richardson from Hollyoaks), Gina owes money to a loan shark and needs to find some quickly. She embodies desperation and things do not turn out well for her.
Analysis
The underlying danger of the work the girls do is always present; after all, who knows who is in the car you are about to get into or take home with you, and the memory of the Yorkshire Ripper was still fresh in the mind around the late 80s/early 90s when the play was set.
The male characters really add to the ensemble. Shayne Ward had a few appreciative whistles when he appeared on stage as Inspector Newall, and he is determined to discover who the killer is, particularly as a result of an earlier relationship with Carol. There was also a great performance by Andrew Dunn as Barraclough, the slightly arrogant councillor who expects favours and backhanders, and Mark Sheals as George, the ruthless, self-opinionated businessman who will do anything to ensure council contracts are awarded to him.
Kieron Richardson implores Gina to take him back because he loves her so much, before bullying her and becoming menacing when he cannot get his own way. There follows some good fight scenes and intense dialogue. Steve Garti plays Curly, and if I mention rubber gloves, it may remind some of a particular scene in the original play which gave some light relief!
The only slight criticism might be that the play feels slightly too long and there are quite a lot of scenery shifts, which is understandable to enhance particular scenes, but it gives the play the feel that it was made for television which can be a bit distracting.
With a full audience for a Monday evening, it was great to see a show of this calibre featuring so many established actors at the Floral Pavilion. Although the audience were not clapping wildly at the end, I think they offered more thoughtful applause to showing appreciation of the play and of the excellent performances from every cast member.
Summary
While exploitation of women continues, particularly in the current economic status the story will always be sadly relevant. With Band Of Gold, Kay Mellor has created a genuinely gripping and hugely entertaining production, which comes highly recommended.
Notes
Target Audience: Adults Aged 30+
Content: Strong Language, Strong Sexual Themes, Violence
Recommendation?: Yes
Overall Rating: 9/10 – Outstanding
Band Of Gold Tickets
Band Of Gold runs at Floral Pavilion until Saturday February 29 2020. To buy tickets, click here or call 0151 666 0000.
