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By Helen Knapman
Four fish factory workers from the murky depths of Hull win the Royal Ascot and end up in the bright lights of Australia for the trip of a lifetime…literally.
 From the Gold Coast to Uluru, Amanda Whittington's play captures the very heart of the British abroad. A tourist unsure about how to gain the 'real' experience is something, which everyone can relate to.
With skilful set changes from dismal airport waiting rooms to the heat-scorched desert outback, back dropped with the 'cheesy' classics from Kylie and Duran Duran, it's guaranteed to get the laughs.
Shopaholic slightly smutty Shelley (Jemma Walker), dissatisfied Jan (Sue McCormick), pensive Pearl (Annie Sawle) and ditzy Linda (Lucy Beaumont) bring together the cast in a brilliant and witty character study. The interaction between the four is realistically portrayed and it is astonishing that they manage to grab the audience as they make up three quarters of the entire cast.
The remaining acting talent comes in the form of hunky Australian actor Damien Warren-Smith and Martin Barrass performing slapstick comedy in an array of characters from doped up beach bums to glittered and sequined drag queens.
The target audience is undoubtedly middle-age women, who judging from the applause and wolf-whistling thoroughly enjoyed what they saw. However, for those only looking for a quick humour fix there is a deeper-rooted message embedded in the highs and the lows of the drama, which does pull at the old heartstrings.
Other than the cringe-worthy, karaoke rendition of gay anthem 'I am what I am' during the Mardi-Gras scene, 'Ladies Down Under' is ultimately a surprise hit with it's genuine warmth and intelligent script. Well worth a watch if you're after an alternative night out.
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