The Revlon Girl - April 2025

"Really good, sad, needed tissues..."

"Very thought provoking, excellent and emotional..."

"Fantastic performances - well done"

"An amazing production, keep it up"

"Excellent performance, very powerful"

"Really emotive, superbly acted"

"Beautiful from start to finish. Congratulations"

"Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant"

It was a pleasure to return to The Hoghton Players for their production of ‘The Revlon Girl,’ This dramatic play written by Neil Anthony Docking, based on real events, was poignant and heart-wrenching. On October 21st, 1966, at 9.15am, tragedy struck the Welsh mining village of Aberfan, when mine number 7 collapsed, and slurry buried the local school and surrounding buildings killing a total of 116 children and 28 adults. This play was a work of dramatic fiction, based eight months after the disaster, and centred on four grieving mothers, who, after neglecting themselves, come together in secret for a makeup demonstration.

Director, Millie Santus, created an emotive, touching production that had many audience members reaching for their tissues throughout. It was raw, it was honest, it was tragic, but it also had tender moments and a dash of self-deprecating humour. With a cast of five actors, playing in the round, it felt intimate, the audience sharing in the grief as it happened in front of them. The show opened with the stirring harmonies of the Welsh Male Voice Choir before sound effects took over and the lights began to dim. Children playing school yard, thunder roared as the school bell rang announcing the start of class. The rain fell heavily, the sound of the colliery collapsing growing louder as it began to slide, crashing into buildings, rubble falling, hair raising in intensity. Then silence. The sound of rain falling heavily, eerily calm. Kudos to Andrew Freeman and Steven Boult for sound, lighting, and technical elements, the opening few moments gave me goosebumps it was that intense. The rain continued to fall throughout the production, a bucket set to catches the drops that leaked through the ceiling, provided a constant sound effect, just audible under the dialogue. It worked exceptionally well. The set built by Paul Santus, was simple but effective. A rundown upstairs function room above the Aberfan Hotel with chairs for the actors, set to the four ‘corners’ of the round, placed at differing angles, allowing the audience to see facial expressions clearly. The cast moved naturally around the set, sitting in alternate seats to change the audience perspective. A tall rectangular table with high stool were set for the use of makeup demonstration, whilst a smaller round table provided an area for the actors use as they swapped places. Stage Manager Rana Shihadah ensured all props were available and all departments met their cues.

For me, the most striking aspect of this play was the passion of all the actors involved. They were delivering deeply moving lines, with grace and emotion, welsh accents remained strong throughout. Playing the role of Sian was Jackie Green. Jackie gave a heartbreaking performance as she spoke about her martial problems since the tragedy. Having previously been the more affable of the group, it was devastating to see her so vulnerable. An intense performance from Jackie.

Aneta Paruk looked glamorous as Revlon in the signature red and black outfit, with coiffed hair and perfect makeup. The object of Rona’s scorn, Revlon did not retaliate, instead she told her own tale of loss and pain. Explaining why she chose to help women feel good, helping them find themselves even in their darkest hours. Aneta displayed many emotions throughout the show, her dialogue was strong, her character refined. The emotion on her face as she struggled to remain calm under a barrage of abuse was impressive. Aneta was fabulous in this role.

Aimee Gallagher performed as Rona. Angry, looking for someone to take the blame, Rona was passionate to the point of boiling over. She could not fathom the injustice of events and was defensive and sarcastic. Aimee had an impressive Welsh accent that did not falter during her outbursts. A wonderful characterisation laced with funny moments, complete with a wry sense of humour and well-timed wit. When she appeared with an orange face due to a fake tan faux pas, the audience laughed aloud. An emotional performance with some jolly funny moments.

Jean, played by Sam Lockhart was married to the local vicar and eight months pregnant. She refused to talk about her pregnancy, fearing that people would think she was replacing her lost son. Deeply spiritual, she believed God wanted her son as part of his plan, and she would see him again in heaven. Sam was excellent in this role, composed and organised. Her performance as she began to explain her loss, exposed her vulnerability, well played.

Ellie Smith was fantastic as Marilyn. Unable to accept her loss, she often had frantic outbursts. Confused and bereft, suddenly crying out that her kids were still alive. She had left them on the corner of the street whilst nipping into the local shop when the tragedy struck. Often looking scared and on the verge of tears Ellie gave an emotionally charged performance from the outset. A great character performance from Ellie.

This was a wonderful play, sad and touching, with tiny moments of self-deprecating levity running throughout. The cast and crew took a sensitive subject and created a deeply emotional show that resonated with many of the audience members. It was a genuinely great production from start to finish, produced with integrity by all involved. I would like to thank The Hoghton Players for their kind hospitality towards myself and my plus one and look forward to their next production.

I just want to say a huge congratulations on your performance last night in Revlon Girl.  From the moment it started with the Welsh voice choir (goosebumps all over), the sound effects of the landslide crashing on the village school, I was gripped. My mother actually jumped in her chair at the sound.

All the actors did a great performance, whilst keeping a Welsh accent (that’s amazing).   I was close to the bucket, and I actually heard the dripping of the water.  The first act set the scene and introduced the women and the dynamics of the group. I’m still waiting for Audrey to turn up !

The second act was an onslaught of highs and lows.  The drama unfolded, listening to the stories of these grieving women and the way they felt let down was very emotional.  The outbursts, the anger, the absolute loss, and the injustice of the event. The stories talking of the support systems used by the women, either the church or mediumship to find answers to why and how to carry on in life without your precious children. I cannot imagine what the families went through, but your performance gave us an insight to their lives.

I’m sorry I didn’t stay at the end, to speak to you in person, but I was an emotional wreck and needed to leave the hall asap to compose myself.  That just goes to show what a powerful, emotional performance you all gave.  I don’t know how you can do that again; you must be exhausted by the end of the week.  Please pass on my thanks to all the production team.  Well done to all.

This was the first time I have attended one of your productions, but it will not be the last.  Hopefully, your next one will be a comedy.

Keep up the excellent work.

Elaine x