Calendar Girls

In their presentation of the true story of the original Calendar Girls, the Players provided a moving, humorous and uplifting production. From the opening fun actions of the tai chi to their precious reactions to their invited speaker and to the absolute scream of the photography scene and then to the later emotional scenes, all was well staged and sensitively presented. Lauren Scott as Annie caught the love, sadness and dignity of the woman who loses her husband to leukaemia. She was the one who in spite of her grief could see the damage being done to her friend Chris’s marriage. Claire Withnell as the friend Chris had this pivotal role well in hand enacting a well meaning, but driven and enthusiastic instigator of the calendar in memory of Annie’s husband and with the intention of raising money to fund a bench seat. Jane Thomson as the retired school teacher Jessie, effectively caustic and practical, loved shocking the young photographer. The part of Celia, played by Helen Whyte, also liked to shock and with nuanced expression and sensuous movement portrayed her prowess and outgoing personality. She was well matched with Siobahn Smith, Cora, a shyer character but also capable of shock and awe especially in the calendar stakes. Carol Sutherland did herself proud as the insecure Ruth, often with crucially telling and funny lines told with deadpan expression and bringing pathos to the role as her own circumstances are revealed. All these ladies were adept at timing their lines and gaining maximum traction with the audience and it was clear they were all comfortable with each other. The dominating chair of the WI Marie, Steph Ferguson, the snooty dignitary Lady Cravenshire, Christine MacLean, on wonderfully obscure topics the guest speaker Brenda, Judy Barker and the minor role of Elaine by Liny Mullins, all were nicely characterised roles. Ian Stewart gave a thoughtful and loving, gentle man planting thoughts as as well as seeds. Daniel Todd as the photographer Lawrence caught the nerves of a young man snapping WI nude ladies but demonstrated strength in his arrangements. Roddy Bain as Rod gained sympathy in his efforts to recreate his relationship with his wife Chris, and Duncan Lindsay as Liam the director of the soap powder photo shoot came across as keen, focussed and eventually a bit nonplussed. I make no apologies for naming all the cast, for the quality of acting was there for all to appreciate. It was brought out by sensitive direction: the delicacy of the staging of John’s death, the tasteful and decorous as well as funny photography scene; the interplay of characters and the well integrated motif of the sunflower seeds. The small stage lent itself to the intimacy of the play and the scene changes swift and clean. This was a drama which delighted and moved in equal measure. Congratulations to all.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.