Calendar Girls

The "Calendar Girls" story, both the play and the musical, follows a group of women in a small Yorkshire village who, in response to the death of one of their husbands, decide to create a nude calendar to raise money for a new settee for the local hospital. This act, initially intended as a quirky fundraising idea, leads to unexpected fame and challenges to their friendships as they navigate the media spotlight.

Having seen the musical version on several occasions I was very much looking forward to watching the play on my first visit to Abbey Theatre Club and their beautiful intimate theatre that provided the ideal setting.

The set, the interior of the village hall, designed and built by members of the club was excellent. Sound and lighting added to the production.

The show itself was well directed with good pace, dialogue was clear, laughter and tears came face to face with each other in equal measure to ensure the real story of the piece, the importance of friendship, was never lost. The photoshoot was well handled – well done ladies! The passing of John was done with respect making it all the more moving and the planting of the sunflowers at the end I found quite moving.

This is, as I have said, a show about friendship but also teamwork and that was evident from the portrayal of each character. Calendar Girls proves that when friends come together, they can achieve great things. Given the ensemble nature of the piece and the vital part each character plays it would be wrong of me to single any individual out. Each actor on the stage had clearly worked extremely hard to develop their characters, capturing their unique qualities,  which when combined provided us, the audience, with a real treat. 

Well done on a wonderful evening and for the warm welcome on my first visit. I very much look forward to my next visit.

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