Calendar Girls

A PRODUCTION BY THE CIVIC PLAYER

If you don’t know by now ‘Calendar Girls’ is based on the true story of a Yorkshire WI group and the consequences of a fundraiser following the death of one of the members’ husbands, from Leukaemia. The people of Wellington took this production to their hearts and it played to full houses every night at the Art Centre, which was transformed into the church room setting in a sleepy Yorkshire village. Although this piece concerns a very real issue the comic timing shown by the cast, especially Cora and Chris had the audience rolling in the aisles, in fact casting had been thoughtfully played and the relationships were strong and believable. The photography scene was beautifully handled with strategic flowers, buns and other seasonal paraphernalia concealing the ladies blushes, and the mixed emotions shown by all concerned were a highlight. The direction of each scene is critical in such a small space and there was a need to create such emotion and empathy with the characters, Paul had obviously analysed the most important elements and brought these to the fore. There was sensitivity in each scene whether it was comic or tragic and this is often difficult to achieve in a production such as this.  The Civic players can be justly proud of this sensitively played comic production and the emotional bond founded on the Art Centre stage will continue when all the applause dies away, just like it has for the real ladies of the WI on which this tale is based.

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