Ladies Day

Marmite Theatre are back at Theatre@41 on Monkgate from 8 to 12 September with Ladies Day, a new production of Amanda Whittington's modern classic. It's the York-based company's second show, following their sell-out debut of The Vicar of Dibley back in November 2025.

Ladies Day first premiered at Hull Truck Theatre in June 2005, and it's a story that sits close to home for anyone who knows the region. It follows four friends from Hull—Pearl, Jan, Shelley, and Linda—who work as fish-filleting factory packers. The whole thing centres on the one summer in 2005 when the Royal Ascot racing festival moved to York's Knavesmire course, and the four of them head over for the day. As the hours roll by, the play peels back the layers on their friendships, the sisterly support they give each other, and the hidden lives and insecurities that come to the surface. It's a comedy, but there's a fair bit of heart underneath the racing talk.

On stage, Jeanette Hunter plays Pearl, Jackie Cox is Jan, Nicki Clay takes Shelley, and Gemma McDonald is Linda. The supporting cast includes Chris Gibson as Joe, Stuart Rae playing both Fred and Kevin, Robbie Howe as Jim, Martyn Hunter as Barry, and Trevor Britain as Patrick and Tony Christie. The whole thing is directed by Martyn Hunter, who also founded Marmite Theatre here in York.

Tickets are £15, and the run goes from 8 to 12 September at Theatre@41 on Monkgate.