Band of Gold, the stage show based on Kay Mellor's nineties ITV crime drama, is at Milton Keynes Theatre this week, writes Chris Gregg.
The TV series won a string of awards and over 15 million viewers with its ground-breaking depiction of a group of women working on the streets of the notorious red light district of Bradford.
There's no dashing RIchard Gere characters in this gritty tale of prostitution but the motivations and circumstances which drive the women into prostitution are at the heart of the story and it's easy to sympathise with the predicament of the central character Gina (played convincingly by Sacha Parkinson), as she struggles with a violent husband, threats from a loan shark and bringing up her child. When she meets Carol, Anita and Rose, the lure of their profession tempts her onto the dangerous and murky world of 'The Lane' where a killer is on the loose.
This is the world stage premiere of Mellor's own adaptation of her hit TV series and follows the success of Fat Friends The Musical. It features a strong lineup of well known faces from British soaps with the three central characters very well cast with Emmerdale's Gaynor Faye as Rose and Eastenders' Laurie Brett as Anita alongside relative newcomer Emma Osman who is superb as feisty Carol who takes Gina under her wing.
Completing the cast are Hollyoaks' Kieron Richardson who is disturbing as violent husband Steve. There's also a forgettable appearance from X Factor winner and pop star Shayne Ward as Inspector Newall who barely contributes to the plot.
The staging is pretty basic with a variety of sofas and living rooms interchanging with a street and a bar. The lack of detail in the set adds to the bleak tone of the show.
The male characters are depicted as violent and abusive with little character development, but in contrast, the women are brilliantly depicted. While the plot resolution is largely unsatisfactory, with a bizarre motive given for the crime, the show is more about the strength of the sisterhood and the bond between these strong women. Surprisingly, the event which concludes the first half has no emotional impact as it is interrupted by the interval and then almost glossed over by the other characters who appear to be as unmoved by it as the audience.
This show is a sobering and honest depiction of life on the streets told from the perspective of the women who endure the risky and dangerous profession. Despite the dark subject matter, this is a story about the strength of friendship which will stay with you.
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