Calendar Girls

In her capacity as Chairman and for this excellent production Director, Anne Lane can feel justifiably proud of this highly accomplished theatre group being part of an attempt to break into the Guinness World Records and establish the record for the most productions of a play in one calendar year.

Released for the amateur stage in 2012 and with over 3,000 actresses across the country performing, it is no surprise this has become a very well-known true story of a local WI group in the Yorkshire Dales taking the decision to raise funds for a settee for a hospital in memory of the husband of one of them The production of calendar has firmly established itself on screen and stage as it reflects a very tragic and ultimately heart-warming journey for those involved. Underpinned by a witty script, which balances tender moments with hilarious lines, this very British story with a very British heart is uplifting and inspiring, drawing every sinu of emotion throughout.

The opening scene in Knapely Village Church Hall had a packed house very quickly aware of all the players in the story. More particularly their special characteristics with each one playing their part with complete dedication, conviction and understanding

Chris (Ann Mayor) with the right amount of feistiness and out and out enthusiasm, Celia (Debra Hutchinson) with an outspoken no nonsense approach, Jessie (Kate Goode) pragmatic and supportive, Ruth (Amber Bluck) often anti everything though coming round eventually and Cora (Katie Ingram) with that busy lifestyle were all played with enormous sincerity and believability

Annie Clarke (Jo Lush) reflected extraordinarily well the life changing events that the loss of her husband brought. John Clarke (David Goode) was most brilliantly portrayed displaying the complete emotional spectrum of a man in good health, through learning of his cancer and in the last hours of life. His passing being the inspiration and catalyst for the calendar.

WI Chairman Marie (Lyn Wetland) tall and imposing, once member of the Cheshire set grudgingly agrees to the idea of a calendar.  The sale of which prompting an avalanche of letters depicted by them falling from the theatre roof and read by the ladies accompanied by to one of the many inspired choices of music, in this instance “In Paradisum” the most evocative final movement from Faure’s Requiem. The publicity begins to take its toll with the final straw being a request to remove their clothing for a washing powder commercial! Liam

Female nudity was imaginatively portrayed, photographer Lawrence (Steve Carley) snaps each Calendar Girl in a different pose and joining the ladies with a tipple or two for the required “dutch courage”. Liam (Mike Lane) also played his role well

Costumes, none more so that the colourful outfits worn by Lady Cravenshire (Dona Dean)  and the stage set both reflected very well indeed the tone and environment of an excellent production.

Through the moments of sadness, great humour emerges with care and respect and compassion, not shying away from the impact the disease causes

A highly appreciative audience were moved by the whole experience which in the final scene featured an uplifting routine to “Here comes the Sun” with a clever projection of sunflowers

To date Leukaemia Researchhas raised over £2m from the sales of The original “Calendar”

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