Ferguson's Gang goes on the run at The Mill

A National Treasure of a Musical

RH, JI, MF

​The retelling of a true story, we assume, must be complex, balancing the sensibilities of the descendants of the real characters with the need to entertain, but Martin Coslett’s AshGate Productions did just that.

​The five wonderful actresses who starred in ‘Ferguson’s Gang’ at the Yvonne Arnaud’s Mill Theatre in Guildford this week, switched roles, costumes, accents and storylines in the blink of an eye, without ever missing a beat.

The story of how these five masked maidens anonymously raised funds during the 1920s and beyond for The National Trust (to keep England safe from the tentacles of raging urbanisation) at a time when women were best seen and not heard was told with humour, pathos and sheer enjoyment and despite being set 100 years ago, the issues at the heart of the story are still relevant today.

The Gang's emotions were palpable and brought the audience laughter, elation, wonder, inspiration and shock; at times lifting everyone’s spirits upon a current of sensational songs and witty dialogue, then being dragged to the depths of silence, where barely a breath could be heard throughout the whole theatre.  Although on the surface, this is a story of securing our national heritage at a particular point in history, it is also a story embracing the eternal themes of sisterhood and friendship against a backdrop of increasing oppression.

This gang must keep running. It would be a travesty if a wider audience was denied the chance to be inspired by such an uplifting and perfect production.  

 Now also with a companion piece called "Octavia" about the founder of the National Trust.