Calendar Girls

Calendar Girls The Musical, with music by Gary Barlow and a book by Tim Firth, is a touching and distinctly British production inspired by real events. It tells the story of a group of Yorkshire Women’s Institute members who, following the loss of a husband to leukaemia, decide to pose for a nude calendar to raise funds for their local hospital. Blending emotional moments with humour, the musical highlights the strength of friendship and the power of community.

The programme was elegantly designed, full of information about the company and the production, and enriched with fun and bright photographs.

The set was well designed, making good use of projection to enhance the overall atmosphere. The lighting was attractive and thoughtfully executed from start to finish. In particular, I loved the illuminated sunflowers framing the stage - they added a striking and memorable visual touch.

Annie gave a sensitive and heartfelt performance, drawing the audience in with a gentle, reflective quality. Her portrayal showed honesty and depth, allowing her vulnerability to shine through, and she maintained strong characterisation throughout. Her vocals were especially moving, bringing added richness to the role, with ‘Kilimanjaro’ standing out as a highlight.

Chris delivered a vibrant and engaging performance, fully embracing her role as a lively, confident and commanding character. She brought strong energy to the stage and drove the action forward with purpose. Beneath this bold exterior, she showed genuine warmth and affection towards Annie, creating sincere and touching moments that brought real depth to her performance.

Cora presented a playful and spirited personality on stage. Her performance was full of wit and charm, with a natural sense of timing that enhanced the lightness in her scenes. She embraced the fun elements of the role with confidence, adding energy and vibrancy to her scenes, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Ruth was portrayed with real nuance, her nervousness and timidity coming across naturally and believably. With the influence of her ‘Russian friend,’ her confidence grew, making her last minute arrival at the photo shoot convincing. Her ‘drunken’ acting was impressive, subtle and controlled, striking a great balance between humour and sincerity.

Celia perfectly captured her rebellious side, stepping into the spotlight with bold confidence. The former air hostess revealed that not everything was as nature intended in the number ‘So I’ve Had A Little Work Done,’ delivering it with wit and honesty. Gregarious and lively, she drew the audience in, turning her confession into a lively, memorable moment.

Jessie, a retired teacher, brought a steady sense of authority that grounded her performance and gave it real presence from the moment she appeared. Her strength came through in a firm, no-nonsense way, adding depth without overstatement. She handled the role with control and clarity, making her portrayal feel both convincing and assured.

John, Annie’s husband, came into his own as a deeply devoted partner, with their connection feeling genuine throughout. He was shown as kind and caring, making it easy to see why he was so well-liked. The actor delivered a quiet and beautiful performance, bringing a gentle sincerity to the role through a measured, understated approach that made John’s warmth feel natural and believable.

Lawrence, as the hospital porter and calendar’s photographer, gave a really enjoyable and well-rounded performance, combining charm and compassion with a natural stage presence. I loved your gentle and compassionate mannerisms, which added real warmth to the character and made your scenes consistently engaging to watch.

Rod was the supportive husband to Chris, and his performance felt natural and authentic, with a real sense of ease as they bounced off each other. He brought warmth and subtle humour to the role, making his character feel genuine and easy to connect with. Denis, as the captain of the golf course and husband to Celia, brought a confident and well-developed characterisation, balancing authority with charm and making the character feel more layered and complete. Colin, as Jessie’s husband, delivered a strong and assured performance, showing clear commitment to the role and connecting well with others on stage. His portrayal created a convincing and dynamic relationship, adding strength and presence to his scenes. I loved the three of you on stage; your performance of ‘Girls’ opened the second act in a lively and charismatic way, and you worked really well together.

Marie, as the chair of the WI, was perfectly suited to the role, capturing a straight-laced, rule-following character with clarity and precision. Brenda, as the guest speaker, brought a distinct presence to the stage, adding interest and contrast within her scenes. Lady Cravenshire was portrayed with a strong sense of status and character, adding to the variety on stage and helping to shape the overall atmosphere. Meanwhile, Miss Wilson (Tea) and Miss Wilson (Coffee) were clearly distinct, each bringing their own touch of humour and charm to the production, making their moments memorable.

Danny, as the son of Chris and Rod and the conscientious head boy, gave a strong performance. He captured his responsible and well-meaning nature, while also showing a lighter side, particularly in his convincing drunken acting. His developing feelings for Jenny were sincere, and his strong and confident singing voice added to the role. His humorous interactions with Tommo were especially enjoyable. Jenny, Marie’s daughter, was portrayed as a rebellious and spirited teenager, with a great characterisation that really captured those moody, defiant moments. Her performance felt lively and believable throughout, showing both attitude and vulnerability, and her lovely singing voice added an extra layer of appeal to the role. Tommo, the son of Cora, was a funny and engaging character, bringing a cheeky energy to the stage. His banter with Danny worked really well, creating some genuinely humorous moments, and his support of Danny added a nice dynamic to their relationship. The live seven-piece band was a welcome addition and really enhanced the musicality of the show. At times, however, the volume of the band made it difficult to catch some of the lyrics, which was a real shame. That said, the band’s energy and contribution added a great deal to the overall atmosphere and enjoyment of the performance.

The Musical Director, Director and Producer did a truly fantastic job in bringing this lovely script to life, with great care and creativity evident throughout. The whole production felt polished and full of energy, which made it such a joy to watch. All of the cast members genuinely looked like they were having a wonderful time on stage, and it was clear they were confident in their lines and staging. Their enthusiasm was infectious and really drew the audience in. A real credit to you all - such a talented and dedicated team.

Finally, a special mention to the incredibly brave ladies who bared all - what an amazing display of confidence, courage and trust. It was handled with such sensitivity, strength and good humour, and it added a powerful and memorable dimension to the performance. Each and every one of you should be immensely proud; it was both moving and inspiring to watch. Thank you very much for inviting me. I really enjoyed being there and it meant a lot to be invited. It was such a pleasure to watch the production and to see all the hard work and care that went into bringing it to life.

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