REVIEW: 'Our Day Out' at Partington Players Theatre in Glossop

Glossop's got talent and if you need convincing get along to the Henry Street theatre this week.

Partington Players are staging Willy Russell’s timeless comedy ‘Our Day Out’ and it’s fantastic!

The mixed-age cast has come up with a vibrant, always sweet, sometimes sad, version of a play that’s packed with emotion.

The action follows the escapades of the ‘Progress  Class’,  a loveable group of Liverpool ‘scallies’ on their first school trip on the day they descend on Conway.

Set in the 1970s and laced with evocative ‘Mersey Sound’ hits of the era, the audience is taken on a rollicking ride into North Wales. It’s a day out most of us of a certain age will remember before the days of foreign travel - when a day at the seaside with your school mates was an adventure. Although the souvenirs most of us brought back from the zoo were not wild animals, as happens in this trip.

Monday’s opening night produced a packed theatre and, from the rapturous applause, whoops and cheers, the audience loved every second

The mainly young cast was exciting and enthusiastic, perfectly portraying a time when some teachers gave up on less gifted children

The young day trippers continually run through the theatre and onto a stage, which, with deft and simple set arrangement, rapidly changed from a coach, to a castle, a sweet shop, zoo, beach and a fun fair.

Supervising the trip is Mrs Kay, an ‘old school’ type teacher, with a love for the job and the children under her control. Unfortunately for her and the kids, they are joined by Mr Briggs, a teacher who clearly hates children.

Jayne Skudder took on the role of Mrs Kay on Monday and will alternate with Hope Davenport, who co-directs the production with Penny Smith, for the rest of the six evening run, which ends on Saturday.

Jayne, her Liverpudlian accent never faltering, gave another accomplished Partington performance, showing compassion and care as she dealt with the often troublesome teens.

Will Wilson, as miserable teacher Briggs who gave up on the children years ago, produces a commanding showing as someone who demands obedience by fear. He appears to soften as he finds a lost child, but you will have to wait until late in the show to see if it lasts.

The teachers, children and the rest of the cast all have a part to play in the success of the production which they do with actions and words.

None more so than Molly Tierney who joined the young cast at almost the 11th hour when another member dropped out because of Covid.

So yes, Glossop has talent, so why not see for yourself. Ticket details on the Partington website.

Cast: Mrs Kay, Hope Davenport and Jayne Skudder; Briggs, Will Wilson; Susan, Milly Quirk; Colin, Solomon Carter; lollipop man and coach driver, Alan Kelly; headmaster, shopkeeper and zoo keeper, Adrian Stokes; Mrs Roberts and zoo keeper, Hope Davenport; waitress, Alice Tamplin.

Schoolchildren: Lila Beard, Lily Berrington, Cameron Bowers, Alana Carroll, Chloe Dolby, Kyle Gatley, Erin Griffin, Nia Griffin, Etta Isherwood, Harry Malone, Mack Quirk, Thomas Rowley,  Jonah Smith, Alice Tamplin, Mollie Tierney, Alfie Travis, Beth Winterbottom. 

Our reporter Gill Garston caught up with Penny Smith, director of 'Our Day Out', to find out more about the play. Listen to the interview in full below...