First performed in 1984, Shakers was one of those pieces of drama that was re-visited by writing team John Godber and Jane Thornton during the pandemic lockdown. The outcome is Shakers Under New Management to reflect the devastation wrought by enforced closures on the hospitality industry following recent events.
Devotees will be delighted to know that, despite being under new management, the female characters retain the same feistiness, wit and political nous as the original to provide a highly-entertaining and thought-provoking evening’s entertainment.
The story tells the tale of three waitresses – Adele (Jazmine Franks), Mel (Rebecca Tebbett) and Nicky (Yasmin Dawes) – and their relationship with the clientele. If truth be told, none of them really wants to be working in the bar with Nicky hoping that her dream of escaping to more glamorous employment comes true, Adele working double shifts to keep her family going and Mel wondering whether marriage may be a route away from her humdrum life.
With minimal props and just three actors, there needs to be a lot of versatility from the cast as they portray the varied range of customers – both male and female. Pleasing to say that at the end of the piece, it was definitely mission accomplished.
The audience was left to ponder how they would be classed by hospitality workers. Would they be the teachers out on the town but horrified to be sharing space with their Year 11 students? The lads on the pull with their suggestive remarks? The moneyed classes? The seasoned complainer? Those who have no idea what they are ordering? Those who just can’t make their minds up and constantly change their order?
All are met by a professional smile and polite conversation. But when the waitresses get together, we discover what they really feel about the clients and that is probably summed up when Mel gets rid of an unwelcome guest with some choice Anglo Saxon. It also became apparent that it would be unwise to upset the chef as some extra ingredients could be added to your meal.
The conversations between the waitresses also allow the audience to understand the friction of working together in a fast-moving environment and understand the fears of the characters themselves.
We all wish to enjoy an evening out but Shakers shows us the reality for many who work in the hospitality industry. With zero hours contracts, minimum wage and often unsanitary working conditions once you step beyond the front of house, the worker is faced at the end of an exhausting shift with a journey home alone through dark streets that are full of menace.
Much has changed over the nearly forty years since the original Shakers was performed and society has become used to the empowered female. So, there is not so much of an immediate shock to the system when we listen in to their conversations.
What has not changed though is that women are still verbally abused and sexually harassed and are often found struggling at the bottom of the employment pile. #MeToo has worked for many but has it proved a game-changer for the majority?
Congratulations to the cast for bringing the words of this well-written play to life. This Theatre Royal Wakefield production is well worth seeing.
The production has a running time of approximately two hours including interval and continues until October 29th. For ticket details, contact 01782 717962
