Gaiety Theatre Ayr – 27th & 28th March 2018. Reviewed by Linda McLaughlan
5*****
Laughter, sorrow, worries, fears, friendships, deceit and loyalty and losing a couple of digits (toe and finger)…… just your average night out at the Bingo …….Not!
The evening began when we met Daniella (Louise McCarthy) through song hoping that she would have some luck at her local Bingo Club. Then we are introduced to Donny (Darren Brownlie), Betty (Jane McCarry), Ruth (Jo Freer) and Mary (Wendy Seager).
Like all Bingo halls across the country the atmosphere is filled with excitement as the players hope to win big and change their day to day lives. Daniella is here with her best friend since childhood Ruth and we are soon introduced to Mary who appears and does nothing but belittle and criticise Daniella who is her daughter, although there appears to be a high level of disappointment and resentment in the relationship.
Ruth who is a new mum spends her time before the game starts, calling home to check on baby and tell off her husband who she believes is useless at looking after their child. Betty and her work partner get the evening off to a great start as they sell everyone their books and drinks from the bar. Although Ruth has a wee half bottle of vodka in her bag (as you do) to help cut the costs of the evening. Betty is excited as this is her last night before she jets off to Las Vegas with everyone present (except Mary) for her hen night.
Excitement and song gets the audience and cast in the mood for the upcoming celebrations………well almost everyone, Daniella is not excited and we soon discover why. The jokes and innuendos are classic comedy moments and the banter is what you experience if you have ever spent an evening in a Bingo hall especially a Glasgow Venue. Our final cast member to join the stage is Joanna (Barbara Rafferty) and not forgetting Henry (the Hoover).
I have not laughed so much in such a longtime and although the story of the lives of the cast takes a variety of turns throughout the evening, it is a show which has been so well written that everyone will walk away with a smile and a chuckle. I would highly recommend that everyone enjoys an evening at BINGO with this fantastic cast