"Entertaining Elgin" Article & Photos by Dave Ferguson
“Bingo Ladies” whisks us through the doors of the Bingo Barn and plops us into a sociological microcosm where popping bingo balls are merely a backdrop.
This is a story of three ladies. Irene (played by Mary Pitt) represents the woman who always wins despite struggling with her physical ailments. Sandi (performed by Laura Caswell), a young woman obsessed with finding a man, appears to know the names of everyone who attends the Friday night Bingo. Carol (Lisa Horner in this role) is the superstitious type, her table covered with trolls, including her favorite, Thor.
This is a story of three ladies. Irene (played by Mary Pitt) represents the woman who always wins despite struggling with her physical ailments. Sandi (performed by Laura Caswell), a young woman obsessed with finding a man, appears to know the names of everyone who attends the Friday night Bingo. Carol (Lisa Horner in this role) is the superstitious type, her table covered with trolls, including her favorite, Thor.
The stage is set early on as Carol decides to sit in Irene’s seat for a better dance with fate, hoping the luck of Irene sits solely on this very chair. This sets up the scenario for events to unfold in “Bingo Ladies”, Grant Tilly’s musical comedy about the joys and agonies of competitive bingo – and life – as we learn why these characters spend every Friday night at the Bingo Barn.
Above: Laura Caswell as Sandi, Mary Pitt as Irene, Lisa Horner as Carol (left). Michael Walmsley is the musical director.
Each of these actors pours out their hopes, dreams and fears, often with engaging humour and frequently with bursts of deliciously wild song. Sandi and Carol carry the audience along with them right to the edge of outlandishness without going too far, and Irene is one of the most lovably cantankerous characters of all time. Mark Allen plays perfectly the character of Lou the Bingo Caller, stepping to centre stage just enough to remind us that those in the background also have a story.
The set design by Eric Bunnell paints a true portrait of an aging bingo hall, with the frosted half windows, the yellowed walls, old wooden double doors and a wall type ventilation fan to rid the building of its smoky environment.
Members of the cast are all accomplished actors – their singing and acting abilities set a high bar. They have pulled off a well-written Grant Tilly musical comedy with class and exuberance giving the audience a believable representation of what takes place inside the Bingo Barn.
“Bingo Ladies” is a new musical comedy by Grant Tilly, directed and choreographed by Liz Gilroy with musical direction by Michael Walmsley.
“Bingo Ladies” is here for a short visit until July 26th at Port Stanley Festival Theatre. If you love comedy, this play has it all. The performance I attended received a well deserved standing ovation – this is sure to be another hit with audiences at the Port Stanley Theatre.
For more information, visit www.portstanleytheatre.com.
The set design by Eric Bunnell paints a true portrait of an aging bingo hall, with the frosted half windows, the yellowed walls, old wooden double doors and a wall type ventilation fan to rid the building of its smoky environment.
Members of the cast are all accomplished actors – their singing and acting abilities set a high bar. They have pulled off a well-written Grant Tilly musical comedy with class and exuberance giving the audience a believable representation of what takes place inside the Bingo Barn.
“Bingo Ladies” is a new musical comedy by Grant Tilly, directed and choreographed by Liz Gilroy with musical direction by Michael Walmsley.
“Bingo Ladies” is here for a short visit until July 26th at Port Stanley Festival Theatre. If you love comedy, this play has it all. The performance I attended received a well deserved standing ovation – this is sure to be another hit with audiences at the Port Stanley Theatre.
For more information, visit www.portstanleytheatre.com.
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