Calendar Girls

When John Baker loses his fight against non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, his wife Annie, and her friends at the local Women's Institute decided to raise money for a comfortable sofa for the family room at the local hospital by posing for an 'Alternative WI Calendar'. Tim Firth’s hilarious play is based on the true story of eleven W.I. members who famously posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund in 1999.

Annie (Sarah-Anne Ashton), is a happy fun-loving woman, devoted to her husband John (Les Read) when he rapidly deteriorates, and dies from blood cancer, she turns to her closest friend Chris (Jill Eason). Chris is an outgoing personality, likes attention, when they get together, they get into mischief. Chris is married to Rod (Jon Harvey) they have a successful florist business. Chris has an idea; they hatch the plan for the ‘alternative (nude) calendar’ convincing their other W.I members to join them to raise funds for the disease. This is much to the horror of the W.I. chairman, Marie. (Jayne Scott). The six W.I. women decide to support Annie and Chris, Cora (Sarah Malyj)  is the pianist for the W.I. also the local church organist, she returned to Knapely Yorkshire, pregnant and is a resilient single mother, her daughter is her life. Jessie (Kathy Kennedy) is a retired teacher with a sharp sense of humour, and she has retained the air of authority. Celia (Catherine Gordon) is a very glamorous women, who loves status and is more at home in the Golf Club Bar than a church hall. Then we have Ruth (Vicky Stewart) always eager to please Marie, however drinks to forget her dominant husband’s infidelity and control. She eventually breaks away from his influence.

Chris, however, soon gets a little carried away with all the publicity and fame that this creates, and, after a subtle reminder from Annie, realises that she was being self-centred and not considering the reasons why it all started in the first place. Sarah-Jane Ashton and Chris Eason had a good rapport with each other and their friendship seemed very real. The performances from these six principal actors are truly splendid, hilarious and utterly believable. Praise too for the supporting roles Vicky Holbrook (Brenda Hulse in her ‘cameo’ role as the visiting W.I. speaker who is less than inspiring on the subject of broccoli. Kevin Fishwick (Liam) who would be happier shooting anything but a soap powder advert. Lawrence (Stuart Clay) is the young shy photographer, who sets up the shots for Chris to take, he only sees the photos. Beautician Elaine (Millie Harvey) who Ruth confronts as her husband’s lover. Last but not least Lady Cravenshire (Kathryn Milligan) on her first role for Port Sunlight Players.

The story has humour, heart, the dialogue is very down-to-earth and naturalistic. I almost felt as if I was a fly on the wall, listening in to their banter and gossip. Praise here to directors Emma Gordon & Jill Eason for making it so real for the appreciative audience (many of whom were W.I. members). The simple set worked well for the activity ahead, the costume changes (which were many) were flawless. I attended opening night, which had first act mic gremlins, however the talented cast had great projection, working through it in style, act two was faultless. Light and sound was spot on, great work from back stage crew. The highlight is of course the calendar shoot itself, perfectly placed props, and clever lighting! Well done girls you dared to bare, it is such a positive message to send to girls and women out there, that we are all body beautiful. The scene where the ladies go up the hill to one of John’s favourite places to see his sunflowers in bloom was very moving, not a dry eye in the house.

It was lovely to see that a groundbreaking story of its time is still making it onto the stage and keeping the memories alive of the WI ladies who defied the odds which made a huge difference to the cancer unit and bringing other people together whose lives have also been devastated by the loss of their loved ones. As I read the programme, I was delighted to see that to date the ladies have raised over £6 million for leukaemia research.

This production was a true team effort,with eveyone giveing their all. What an enjoyable evening of entertainment, you could not help but go home with a lovely fuzzy feeling. Thank you for my invitation, I am looking forward to your next production.

 

Joanne Rymer

NODA

District 4

 

 

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