Many years after Derby Day told the story of a woman winning the holy grail of horse racing, it finally came true in Australia as Michelle Payne became the first female to win ‘the race that stops the nation.’
Derby Day is the tale of a girl from nowhere who overcomes the odds to win The Derby – all brought to life by four actors playing everything, including the horses! Taking a satirical sideswipe at the hierarchical world of racing, it has toured all over the country, including a sold out run at racing’s HQ, Newmarket.
Some twenty years on from its debut run, not only has no woman ridden a winner of the Epsom Derby, only two have ever taken part in the race.
Written by Brian B. Thompson and first staged by Yorkshire Theatre Company, Derby Day was named by the FT as one of the shows of the year and won Best Comedy at The London Fringe Awards. Revived in London and Bristol since, a new production is currently under discussion.
Brian B. Thompson 