Calendar Girls

I was thrilled to hear that Centenary were taking on the much cherished Calendar girls – with such a strong female line up of potential principals in wings, I knew it would be a hugely successful production even before it was cast.

What was a pleasure to see, was that at Centenary’s Autumn Musical offering, a Calendar had already been shot (and beautifully done!) and mass produced to sell and encourage ticket sales and raise a heap of money for charity. This is a sign of a well organised, proactive committee and production team and such a delight to see.

So the show? Nothing less than I expected; a talented cast, wonderfully and tastefully directed by Mark Murphy and some great lighting and scenery. A great mix for a great show.

Making her debut in the limelight (surprisingly) Jan Orillard played widowed Annie, giving a strong and sincere performance and essentially, a tight relationship with Chris, played by Dawn Flint. Dawn was so natural and believable, I believed their friendship and I laughed with them and I cried with them. They were a great double act and backed by a superb cast of ladies.

Patsy Roberts as Jessie knows how to steal a scene and oh my did she! Her comic timing is impeccable and it always astounds me how you instantly love her even before she has delivered a line!

I loved Vicki Jacksons portrayal of Celia and that of single mum Cora played by Julie Parry. Ruth was played confidently by Rachael Benfield.

The WI cast all performed with such understanding and sensitivity. I could sense the bond and friendship which I am sure was the essential ingredient to making the girls ‘work’ so well. I could see the journey they had travelled together and the work they had put in. Their performances were brave, they were tasteful and so in tune to the real meaning of the play. The most poignant moment was when the letters from the relatives of cancer patients fell from above – having lost my Mum to Cancer this whole production made me think of how worthwhile it must be to be involved in such a production. It’s so special and even more so when its done so well.

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