Opening the New Vic’s spring season, Ladies’ Day sees four women swap their typical working day at a fish factory for front row at the races.

This uplifting co-production with Octagon Theatre Bolton, is a life-affirming comedy from Amanda Whittington, writer of Kiss Me Quickstep and The Thrill of Love, which takes to the stage at the New Vic from Friday 3 to Saturday 25 February.

A heart-warming story of female friendship, it is directed by Marieke Audsley (Jekyll & Hyde, Guildford Shakespeare Company, The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary!, Jermyn Street Theatre) and stars New Vic favourite Gareth Cassidy (Marvellous, The 39 Steps) alongside Tanya-Loretta Dee (Family Album, Stephen Joseph Theatre, EastEnders, BBC), Annie Kirkman (The Hound of the Baskervilles, East Riding Theatre, Beryl, Arcola), Jo Patmore (As You Like It, Northern Broadsides and New Vic Theatre, Frost Hollow Hall, East Riding Theatre) and Kate Wood (Doctors, BBC, Brassed Off, Derby Theatre).

Pearl, Jan, Shelley and Linda spend their days filleting fish and talking about life, love and last night’s tea in the factory where they work. With the world weighing heavy on their shoulders, the foursome are due a day off, not least to celebrate Pearl’s retirement.

When Royal Ascot relocates to York, the ladies seize the chance to swap their overalls for fancy hats and head off for a day of fizz, flirting and fun. But with high aspirations and fraying tempers, as the racing begins and they place their bets, will they win big, or will their luck fall at the final hurdle? One thing is for sure,Ladies’ Day is odds on to become an audience favourite!

Ladies’ Day Director Marieke Audsley said: “I am delighted to be directing Amanda Whittington's wonderful play, Ladies' Day. It's such a fun, funny, heart-warming show, which tells the story of four fabulous friends. I very much hope that audiences will love meeting and being entertained by these brilliant women.”

New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins said: “I’m really grateful that Amanda Whittington has revised her 2005 play for our production. She’s kept the story in its specific time and place but approached it through the lens of the 2020s.  It’s fascinating to see the results of that, including attitudes to the Royal family, and to have our own recent history reflected back to us. The original engaging, witty piece of work about ordinary lives has become an even richer piece of drama.”

Ladies’ Day takes to the stage at the New Vic from Friday 3 to Saturday 25 February 2023. For more information and to book call the Box Office on 01782 717962 or online at newvictheatre.org.uk.