If you are anything like me, and anything like my age (30s) you may be aware that a TV series called Band of Gold existed in the early 90s. As it was about the life of prostitutes strugging to get by under the shadow of a serial killer preying on them, it becomes clear why my Mum and Dad may not have let me watch it, at that tender age.
Created and written by Kay Mellor of Fat Friends fame, the concept and story has been rejigged and reimagined for a stage show that covers the major events of the frst series. Looking at debt, poverty, society, and the extremes that people will go to, to survive, whilst highlighting those that would take advantage of them. The play is perhaps not for the faint-hearted as it contains some very grown-up themes and an awful lot of bad language.
The cast that has been bought together will be familiar to many, especially to soap fans.
Laurie Brett who you may recognise as Jane Beale from Eastenders takes the main role with the most stage time (although in last nights show we had the Understudy Virginia Byron who was fantastic take the role) . Gaynor Faye from Emmerdale is her close friend and world-weary madame. Shayne Ward of Corrie and X-Factor fame also pops up, as does Kieron Richardson from Hollyoaks, in his first stage production. Clearly playing to his strengths, his character is called Steve, just like his character in Hollyoaks.
Gina played by Sacha Parkinson was my stand out performance of the night, playing the role of a married woman, split from her husband, trying to make ends meet for her and her daughter. Her acting abilities and performance were great and I expect we will be seeing more of her on the stage and on the TV in the future.
The other main stage presence is that of Emma Osman who plays Carol who plays a big role, as another young mother struggling to get by, who inadvertantly tempts Gina into a life of vice when their paths fatefully cross. Carol performs some of my favourite scenes – watch out especially for the rubber glove scene which made the audience laugh.
The show is based in the early 90s, back when the TV show aired. The music used througout is reminiscent of that era. Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game opens the show and a very welcome and apt performance of Glory Box by Portishead bookends a sombre scene. The 90s fashion is there as well, with fluffy slippers and double-breasted suit jackets the order of the day.
The villains gallery is really well done here, with four equally distasteful baddies popping up throughout. Sleazy door-knocking loan sharks, money-grabbing businessmen and corrupt council officials all stalk the stage trying to exert the influence and power over the ladies just trying to keep their heads above water and provide for their families.
Band of Gold is an interesting play and uses the fame of the cast to draw people in to address some issues that still abound today, but with a very 90s skew. Whilst some laughs are there, it is a serious piece about the lengths that society pushes some people towards and how this can make the most needy around us, often the most vulnerable.
“A star studded cast addressing issues abound today. Go and see it!”
Band of Gold is running at the Birmingham Alexandra Theatre until Saturday 15th February 2020 and tickets are available now from £13 each. Show is aimed at over 16s
Disclaimer : We were invited along to the press performance. All thoughts and opinions are our own.