Following the hugely successful sell-out run of Kay Mellor’s television sitcom “Fat Friends” screen-to-stage adaptation, another popular series, also written by Mellor had its world premier last night - the gritty, witty “Band of Gold”.
This two act play is filled with a star-studded cast and follows the main events from the long running series (1995-1997). Set amongst the backdrop of Bradford’s Red Light District, is a crime drama revolving around the lives of four women - Carol, Rose, Anita and Gina.
When Gina is faced with debt due to a relationship breakdown, she turns to a loan shark in desperation to keep a roof over her head and ensure that she can continue to provide for her daughter, by becoming an Avon representative. Along her path she meets Carol, who at first glance appears to be a successful business woman, with her immaculate home, new modern pink sofa and leading a comfortable lifestyle. But Gina soon learns that Carol is “on the game” - earning money on the streets and using friend Anita’s home as a safe haven to bring back clients. Desperate to get the loan shark off her back and make ends meet, Gina sets out to The Hustler public house to find Carol, where she also meets long time prostitute Rose.
Soon Gina attracts the attention of several potential punters and Carol gives her firm guidelines about not getting into cars without first notifying either her or Rose. Whilst they might be “business rivals” - Rose and Carol always look out for each other - knowing all too well the potential dangers that await. Following an argument over some stolen money - Gina storms off to “the lane” (a notorious part of Bradford’s red-light District) alone and ignoring previous warnings, gets into a car without informing one of the others.
Whilst the plot has some tragic situations, the majority of the script is filled with gritty northern humour and foul language. The simple set is grey and cold - the perfect reflection of the red light district; however when we see inside the warm inviting home-comforts of Anita’s flat, Carol’s spotlessly clean home and the once happy family home of Gina and he ex husband we see a different side to prostitution. These women all have their own reasons for working the district but it’s their bond that keeps them motivated when tragedy strikes.
The star-studded cast includes Mellor’s own daughter Gaynor Faye (Coronation Street/Emmerdale/Fat Friends) as older prostitute Rose - a heroin addict who, following having her daughter removed from social services, has been on a downward spiral ever since - yet desperate to get clean and get a real job. Rose appears to be unapproachable at first and is intimidating to those who don’t know her, but deep down she’s just a mother who lost her way and turned to drugs and prostitution as a coping method. Gaynor Faye is flawless in every role she portrays, and tonight was no exception. The role is as far away from her current Emmerdale role as you can get - I barely recognised her as she entered the stage dressed in a super-short mini skirt and rubber over-the-knee boots with a shouty, aggressive, working class Northern accent. Faye captures Rose’s vulnerable side whilst also managing to put the fear into you with the darker side to her character (she’s not someone you’d want to cross in the street!)
There’s no weak cast member in this production - Emma Osman as Carol is a complete contrast from Rose - appearing to be doing well in life with a comfortable home and young daughter - whilst using friend Anita’s apartment as a safe place (for a cut of the money) for bringing clients back, Carol has her daughters best interests at heart, keeping her profession a secret and never bringing clients back to her own place...until she meets a punter with a fetish who she deems as trustworthy.
Eastenders actress Laurie Brett portrays the role of Anita - an older woman having an affair with married man Ian - a successful business man who takes a liking to young Gina when he sees her in Anita’s flat. Whilst Anita isn’t a prostitute herself, she works alongside the regulars, allowing them to use the flat for a small fee. Providing safety for the women whilst earning an income herself, she sees it as a “win/win situation”.
In Act Two we meet Inspector Newall (X-Factor's Shayne Ward), having seen Ward several times in the West End's production of Rock Of Ages, later watching him take on an emotional but relevant storyline in Coronation Street, he was a welcome sight in a storyline I’d had no previous knowledge of (I didn’t watch the TV series in the 1990s as it was during my exam years). With a murderer on the loose, and the rest of the women still working the lane, Inspector Newall is keen to get some information regarding the recent death of one of the prostitutes - even if it means talking to an old flame of his..
Whilst there’s sadness within the storyline, there’s also plenty of laughs. With prostitution becoming less of a taboo subject, with documentaries such as the current ITV “A Very Yorkshire Brothel” - showing life inside Sheffield’s long running brothel “City Sauna”. Whilst sex workers used to be seen as victims - this isn’t always the case, and some do it to feel in control and empowered, enjoying what they see as their destined career. Whilst I went along this evening not having the slightest clue what this new play was about, I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Prostitution has been part of history for centuries, and what once was seen as a taboo subject is becoming less so, with the likes of Pretty Woman and Secret Diary Of A Call Girl showing a different side to selling sex.
Regardless of whether you’ve seen the television series or not, Band Of Gold is a must-see. It’s gritty, witty and ever more relevant in the current financial climate. Just watch out for the rubber gloves....!
Reviewer - Charlotte Davis-Browne
on - 3/12/19
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