Calendar Girls

Tim Firth’s remarkably popular play has been something of a staple of the amateur stage since its limited release for amateurs last year.  The now familiar tale of the WI ladies who produce a revealing calendar for charity has many moments of both humour and pathos and the key to any production of Calendar Girls is in being able to make the balance effective. Hartley Players rose to the challenge.

Well done to those who had to gather the vast amount of props that were needed. The scenes where they bare almost all, (I have seen it described as ‘fabulous concealment’) with just a few props such as oranges, cakes and flowers to protect their modesty was both hilarious and well directed by Jacky Richardson.

The bond between the girls was very believable as was the separate personal life issues of the characters.  Annie, played sensitively by Margaret Bown and Chris, her bubbly and mischievous friend, played with gusto by Judy Burrows, had their friendship tested when their fame could have come between them. Their fellow rebels – Carol Arman-Addy played the feisty Cora and Yvonne Hegarty brought some flashes of humour to her role of Jessie. Jan Mackney  as Celia was well cast as the ‘trophy wife’. Gill Bacon was delightful as the hapless Ruth and I think we all gave a cheer when she confronted her husband’s mistress, Elaine, played by Sarah Holliday – a small but vital part.  Snobby WI chairman Marie was played well by Lindsey Hudson  and her ‘conversion’ at the end was quite touching. Again, two other vital cameo parts, that of Lady Cravenshire, played elegantly by Sue Sutton and Marion Asplin, as the visiting WI speaker Brenda Hulse.

We must not forget the gentlemen of the cast . There were sound performances from Martin Arman-Addy as the dying husband John, Nick Noakes as the jolly Rod, Andy Noakes as the lucky photographer and Mark Nurdin as the bossy television producer.

Calendar Girls is a celebration of friendship, love and of what women can achieve together, with a story of human tragedy, triumph, class and confidence. It was the perfect reminder that the play was based on a true story and that thousands of families lose loved ones every year to all types of cancer. I hope the sale of calendars has raised a goodly sum for the Elimination of Leukaemia Fund. 

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