Penrith Players are “fizzing with excitement” as they look to make their opening show of the year a very different experience.
Shakers: Under new Management, by John Godber is a fast-paced look at the world as seen by three waitresses working in a cocktail bar.
For this four-night run, which starts on Wednesday (February 14), the Penrith Playhouse bar is being given a Shakers’ makeover and a special selection of cocktails, which will be able to be enjoyed alongside the performance, are set to launched at a special evening in the bar on Saturday night (February 10).
“We are wanting to bring the concept of ‘event theatre’ to Penrith Playhouse. As part of this we are launching next week’s play with a Saturday evening event, which is free to enter, and everybody is invited to come down to get a taste of what next week’s Shakers’ play is going to be all about.
“We have been working hard on bringing the Shakers’ girls to life and can’t wait to bring this fast, frenetic and funny show to the Penrith Playhouse stage.
“You could say we are fizzing with excitement,” said director Andy Keogh.
One of the most performed writers in the English language, John Godber’s updated version of Shakers — a sister play to Bouncers — sees life getting back to normal after the COVID-19 shutdown.
Cocktails and decadence are back for the roaring 2020s — as the hospitality industry looks to a new future — but look a bit closer and it’s not hard to see cracks appearing in the veneer.
Our three guides through this roller-coaster of a play are waitresses Adele (Lisa Burke), Nicky (Tash Binder) and bride-to-be Mel (Katie Haworth).
As well as juggling hectic home lives, their working life is also fraught with challenges.
The trio find themselves having to contend with the antics of leery lads, hilarious teachers letting their hair down, posh and not so posh couples, as well as “that customer” who thinks they are always right.
The original Shakers was first presented by the Hull Truck Theatre Company in 1984. It was co-written by John Godber and Jane Thornton (his playwright wife) — the same team that updated the script for its professional debut in 2022.
Shakers: Under new Management is being performed at Penrith Playhouse from Wednesday, February 14, to Saturday, February 17.
Tickets are available from Penrith tourist information centre, online and on the door.
