Bad Girls - North West End Review
A musical adaptation from the 1990s TV series Bad Girls with a few familiar roles amongst the cast such as the gobby and cocky Shell Dockley (Laura Riley) and the loathsome and despicable Fenner (Paul Robinson).
When the show opens, you meet a colourful array of characters from the sweet and saintly Wing Governor Helen Stewart (Michelle Williams) who is battling against older, more defiant guards such as Fenner, and the stoic and patronising Sylvia “Bodybag” Hollamby (Ruth Gibb) to bring more humanity and empathy to the prison. Due to an uprising in the block, Stewart (who has been falling for an inmate) is in hot water and her budding love story between her and the strong and defiant inmate, Nikki Wade (Diane Glover), is under threat.
A very fragile and naive portrayal of Rachel Hicks (Claire Jones) is tragically centre stage of the first part of the production as she tries to navigate her new life in prison amongst the sharks, and I don’t necessarily mean the inmates!
This production is hard hitting and not afraid to tackle some dark and taboo subjects. It demonstrates the tragedy and comedy of prison life for both inmates and staff.
Although the production does at times make you feel very uncomfortable with some of the appalling situations that unfold, you are also uplifted by the triumphs and solidarity of the women.
An absolute dynamite duo who had audiences cracking up were the two Julie’s. Julie Saunders (Pip Bradshaw) who also portrayed the heart ache of motherhood behind bars very well and Julie Johnston (Lynsey Corner) whose facial expressions and wild antics with her best friend had us on stitches, especially when the duo were joined by the fun and fabulous and equally sex starved Yvonne Atkins (Julie Gould) for a fantastic, saucy and perfectly directed scene with the handsome and charming Justin Mattison (David Stevens)
Surprisingly, there was another unexpectedly funny duo in the hilarious Gibb and Robinson. Although their characters are unlikable, they showed amazing breadth in the skills as you switched between loathing and loving them throughout.
An amazing ensemble to complete the cast of wayward character with added naivety and loyalty of one Denny Blood (Megan Charlton), Dockleys steadfast sidekick. All the company should be very proud.
There was some stand out solos within the performance especially from the fanatic Crystal Gordon (Izzie Watkins) and a show stopping performance with Fenner and Dockley, which will also have you crying laughing. Bradshaw’s poignant solo to her son was moving and deserves a mention.
For a very dark and uncomfortable performance, Paul Robinson who played Fenner deserves a special mention. Especially with his solo ‘The Key’ as myself and many of the audience applauded his performance but he was so convincing and disturbing, you felt you shouldn’t applaud. Which is exactly how you want the audience to feel. Fantastic!
With fun and funky choreography (Izzie Watkins) superb direction (Julie Robinson) and producing (Ruth Gibb) you are in for one rollercoaster of an evening. Wayne Oakes and his orchestra and perfectly timed sound and lighting (Kelsey Fulton and Aber Lighting) set the mood and scene perfectly and the set (Claire Jones and Megan Chorlton) at Rainhill always amazes me with their attention to detail. A definite winner of a production you don’t want to miss.
Reviewer: Stephanie Wiswall
Reviewed: 18th June 2025
North West End UK Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bad Girls - NODA Review
Bad Girls ... a musical produced and presented by Rainhill Musical Theatre Company at Rainhill Village Hall, Danes Court, Rainhill and Wednesday 19th June 2025.
From a book by Maureen Chadwick and Ann McManus with Music and Lyrics by Kath Gotts... Bad Girls the Musical is a British made musical based on the 1990’s TV drama series of the same name. Tensions are running high in HMP Larkhall where ‘Old School’ Prison Officer Jim Fenner reigns supreme, assisted by fellow officer Sylvia ’Bodybag’ Hollamby. Fenner asserts his control over female inmates, encouraging sexual favours in return for preferential treatment. ‘Larkhall’ is full of colourful inmates, including the ‘ultimate top dog’ Yvonne Atkins, Old timer Noreen Biggs, a ‘comedic duo’ both named Julie and the ruthless Shell Dockley and her side-kick Denny Blood. Fenner’s rule is being challenged by the arrival of the new ‘Wing Governor’, Helen Stewart. Jim and Helen clash but Helen’s situation becomes more complicated when she has a relationship with alluring inmate, Nikki Wade, whilst Fenner is implicated in the suicide of a new young naïve inmate... ‘heads butt’, misdemeanours occur and corrupt officers are exposed...
Production Team ... WOW ... this was different! This musical deals with some dark and difficult subjects, subjects that I’ve seen and dealt with first hand during my thirty years police service in Liverpool, subjects that still don’t sit well even after being retired twenty-five years! Having said that, RMTC really should be congratulated for tackling such an ambitious project in the first place. Guiding the society through this minefield was Julie Robinson (Director), Wayne Oakes (Musical Director), Izzi Watkins (Choreographer) and Ruth Gibb (Producer) and what a great job they made of it! The casting was, for me, ‘spot on’, the acting, the musical numbers, the staging and the direction was ever so effective. All the musical numbers, all unknown to me, had purpose and were delivered ever so well. Loved the choreo, simple, but effective, playing to the strengths of all those involved. The subject matter did have its issues ... I felt there were times when the audience were unsure whether to applaud or not, yet they did, reluctantly, but I took this as a positive not a negative, to me it was validation of what was being acted out on stage! There were comedic moments, that brought the house down, emotional moments were tissues had to be hunted out and songs sung that had meaning, passion, emotion and harmony. All involved with this production should be very proud of what they helped achieve, which I can only think wasn’t easy!
Cast ... in my opinion, the success of this production and it was a success, was down to the ‘whole’ rather than an ‘individual’. As soon as those curtains parted, you could see the togetherness on stage, which I do believe was essential if this musical was to work. When a cast comes together as this one did, it’s very difficult to start saying he/she/they were better than someone else for fear of doing injustice to some .... BUT, I will select a few ‘favourites’ later!
Prison Officers:
Dave Flanagan played ‘The Number One’ ... a strict boss in the prison, Freemason, chauvinistic
Michelle Williams played ‘Helen Stewart’ ... new Governor, lesbian, idealist, determined, kind
Paul Robinson played ‘Jim Fenner’... corrupt/controlling, rapist, smug, Freemason, immoral
Ruth Gibb played Sylvia ‘Bodybag’ Hollamby... strict, ‘lazy, homophobic, unpleasant, controlling
David Stevens - ‘Justin Mattison’ prison officer, fancy’s Helen new Governor/in for a surprise!
Ryan Greenall played Prison Officer ... one of the gang.
Prisoners:
Diane Glover played ‘Nikki Wade’ ... murderer, lesbian, as a relationship with the Governor!
Megan Charlton played ‘Denny Blood’ arsonist, side-kick for Shell, violent, impressionable
Laura Riley played ‘Shell Dockley’... sassy, bully, offers sexual favours for preferential treatment
Julie Gould played ‘Yvonne Atkins’ ... gangland boss, provocative, influential leader
Antia Shaw played ‘Noreen Briggs’ ... old timer, grumpy, canny, repeat offender, shoplifter
Izzi Watkins played ‘Crystal Gordon ... religious, shoplifter, comical, self-righteous, annoying
Claire Jones played ‘Rachel Hicks’ ... scared, naïve mother, easy prey, rape victim, suicide
Pip Bradshaw played ‘Julie Saunders’ ... convicted prostitute, caring mother, kind, double act
Lynsey Corner played ‘Julie Johnston’ ... convicted prostitute, harmless, mother, double act
Pauline Doyle played ‘Kat’ - prisoner
Unnamed prisoners ... Suzi Davies, Emily Nugent & Annie Topping.
I really had to think long and hard about MY favourite character but in the end, I went for the bloke who I hated and just wanted to ‘slap’... Paul Robinson. OMG I did loathe him ... but Paul nailed this role, be very proud Paul!
Favourite prisoner... too many great characters created to pick just one, all had their own individual stories, traits and characteristics ... but I am going to stick the ‘old neck’ out and select MY favourite song... and again chosen from many, but Izzi Watkins rendition of ‘Freedom Road’ that opened Act 2 was just on another level ... emotional, sung to perfection, supported by some fabulous harmonies by the Ensemble ... be very proud Izzi, topped some other amazing renditions!
Tech/Staging/Set ... an effective set, with plenty of emphasis on detail was used throughout (Designed/Built by Claire Jones, Megan Charlton and the cast). Various pieces of stage furniture were used to set and present scenes, brought on and taken off, mainly by cast members, which worked well and was expertly overseen by Andy Pink (Stage Manager). Lighting ... under the watchful eye of Aber Lighting was good and helped set the mood for all the scenes. Sound... Rainhill Village Hall is a notorious challenge for any sound engineer and although we did have a few crackles/a couple of slow mikes, they didn’t affect our enjoyment ... Kelsey Fulton should be congratulated on another great job especially having to address those challenges.
Orchestra... led by the ever so talented Wayne Oakes (Musical Director) included Tom Bowes: Keys 1, Lizzie Martland: Keys 2, Jennifer Downing: Reed 1, Andrew Bickerton: Reed 2, Amy Gray: Drums, Liam Asbridge: Trumpet and Dave Seamans: Bass. As previously stated, I didn’t know any of the songs yet I felt they all had meaning, emotion and felt right for the production. The orchestra supported the soloists and the ensemble with great aplomb ... I didn’t leave singing a song, but they all really did enhance this musical!
Costumes ... were perfect for this production, nothing looked amiss which was excellent – keeping an eye on them was Julie Robinson, Ruth Gibb, Pip Bradshaw, Claire Jones + Cast Props ..., apt, used well, enhanced the production ... Claire Jones/Megan Charlton + Cast
Wow... Bad Girls was, without doubt, a brave choice, but from the conversations I overheard at the interval and as I left, a choice that challenged many people, including myself, but a choice that you should all be proud of! The acting, the singing, the staging etc... was amazing and you came out of it all with your heads held high! Thanks for the invite... hope to see you all again very soon!
Stay safe, Keep well ... Stronger Together Jim Briscoe ... NODA NW District 6 Rep
Audience Reviews..
To Director Julie, Cast & Crew of Bad Girls
Another absolutley brilliant show!
You are all very good at being Bad Girls..... Plus one very Bad Boy!
The Whole Cast portrayed characters of Strength, with that naughty bit of fun from 'Juggling Julies' to 'Jailhouse Ruth', The sad victim Rachel but also Noreen in her bob hat, with apt and timely one liners.
Stage & Tech crews did a great job, as did the wonderful musicians.
Congratulations RMTC!
Thanks for a great evening of entertainment.
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