Calendar Girls

This production started from the moment we entered the hall, with a sunflower-strewn ‘box-office’ and front-of-house team decked out in WI tabards. To complete the ambience, there was a wonderful programme which doubled as a calendar, featuring the cast and crew baring nearly all for charity, just as the women who inspired this play had done originally.

The set was very simple but hugely effective; a giant calendar which extended from back drop to proscenium arch, with a pair of double doors centre back as the only entrance, and a serving hatch. High on the backdrop was an area for back projection, which showed the WI Hall in different seasons, denoting the passing of time

The first scene, of the women practicing Tai chi on the hillside, served to introduce the women and the differences in their characters. There was an obvious camaraderie between the cast members, and this excellent ensemble work continued throughout the play. Each actress had obviously worked hard to get under the skin of her character, and whilst the men in this play are very much in the supporting roles, they too played a major part in this fine ensemble acting.

Some believable relationships were created between the women, but also with the ‘husbands’. Annie and John drew us in to their story with great skill, playing out their personal tragedy amidst Christmas pageants and fetes, and their attempts at normality added to the poignancy of John’s ‘death’ scene. I particularly liked the way he simply walked away, through the audience, leaving his loving wife and friends behind. Rod and Chris also created a good relationship, demonstrating the ups and downs of a marriage with great sympathy.

Most of the women had a long monologue or pivotal scene and these were all handled skilfully. I was particularly impressed that minimal movement was used at these times, with the Director allowing the words to do the work.

There were some well-played comedy scenes, including the badminton match between Ruth and Marie, the ‘home-made’ cake episode at the fete, and the gags about Ruth’s unidentifiable animal costume. The single entrance at the back of the stage did, however, limit the Director’s choices at times, and the ending of Act 1, with Lady Cravenshire arriving when the women were all naked (sorry – ‘nude’) did not work quite so well as it could have, as she was required to pass the women to move downstage, seemingly without them seeing her. The calendar shoot scene was expertly and tastefully handled though, with the ‘unveilings’ skilfully set up and performed. The back projection of the final shots was a nice touch, and the props department are definitely to be congratulated!

Supporting roles were well performed; at times they tended towards caricature, but I suspect that this is the way they are written. Accents were well maintained throughout. Costumes, hair and make up were all appropriate, and lighting and sound good. 

Congratulations to this group for taking on this risky play. Thank you for your hospitality.

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