Calendar Girls is the well known story and film about a group of WI members who want to raise money for a sofa to make the relatives room in their local hospital more comfortable. It hit the big screens back in 2003, and was adapted as a stage play in 2015. This musical stage adaptation version of the story has wonderful songs that are written by Gary Barlow and with lyrics by Tim Firth. The songs are well crafted and knit together an emotional rollercoaster that follows the story of the famous Waverley ladies.
Photo Credit: Matt Crockett
Chris, the rebel of the group, is brilliantly performed by Rebecca Storm. Annie (Anna-Jane Casey) is her best friend of 40 years. The on-stage rapport between them is depicted with warmth as the story revolves around the support Chris offers when Annie’s husband is diagnosed with leukaemia. The poignant and difficult struggles of Annie and Chris along with the rest of the Yorkshire villagers is chronicled in the first half of the show. The occasions of village life, fetes and carol services come and go with the seasons unchanging as the years roll by.
Throughout the musical, the themes of love, friendship, families, ageing and loss loop and intertwine the characters. The ladies reminisce about why they joined the WI, what they like and loath about the WI. The photographing of the now infamous calendar is depicted with humour and humility as the cast bravely recreate some of the iconic scenes from the film.
The stage is deftly transformed from a village hall to the Yorkshire Dales, hospital and home, by a row of lights and a few chairs. The back drop changes colour as it reflects the change in mood and the passing of time. The scene changes are slick as the drama of village life unfurls; the musical is highly polished, a foot tapping and massively entertaining evening. The whole auditorium were completed engaged with the show during our performance, with a standing ovation finale.
Calendar Girls is an excellent evening’s entertainment from start to finish. The skill and talent of the actors is very impressive and emotive – this is a brilliant treat of a show and one that is absolutely unmissable.
Calendar Girls is touring the country until November 2019.
