Shades of MATES : The Ladybirds

The Ladybirds will be the comedy component of MATES Theatre Society's mid-year production titled Shades of MATES, presenting the light and shade of drama, music and comedy.

The Ladybirds tells the story of a village drama group that has lost all of its men. The future looks bleak until bright, young director Francesca Delmarco agrees to help out with a plan to give the group a new lease on life.

Francesca persuades them to enter the ‘Dame Agnes Wragg Festival of One Act Plays for an All-Female Cast’ with a play she has written herself.

Her play is controversial; it concerns a lesbian couple who want to have a baby, and when word gets out the vicar’s wife, Agatha Frost, attempts to ban the production.  However, the players have their own way of dealing with misguided authority.

CAST REQUIRED—9 female (7 main and 2 supporting)

· Marge.  60—70 years old.  Officious.  Domineering.  Retired civil servant.
· Betty.  30—40 old.  Quick witted.  A retired matron.
· Faye.  18—30 years old.  An aspiring actress who has “missed the boat”.
· Francesca.  25—35 years old.  A young director who is enthusiastic and ambitious.  Blokey.
· Julie.  18—25 years old.  College girl with fresh innocence.  A bit dippy.
· Babs.  30—50 years old.  Tea lady with a smart mouth.
· Agatha Frost.  40+ years old.  Vicar’s wife and chairwoman of the community council.  Smallish role.
· Drama Judge.  No specific age.  Adjudicator at the drama competition.  A very small role.
· Jenny.  No specific age.  The prize winner of the drama competition.  Non-speaking role.