Calendar Girls the Musical

It was a pleasure to be back in the Devonport Playhouse and I appreciated the warm welcome from your chairman Brian Gerry. It was great to see that your front of house team were all wearing sunflowers. I felt the minute silence was very sensitively delivered following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Following the success of the 2003 film and the 2009 play, Gary Barlow and Tim Firth who had been friends for 25 years and grew in in the same village in the North of England teamed up to turn the beloved tale based on a true story, of the Calendar Girls; originally titled The Girls; into a musical. The county of Yorkshire and its residents are at the heart of this show and the opening song ‘Yorkshire’ a brilliant overview. 

The musical is based on the now well-known story of a group of WI members and their determination to raise funds for a comfortable sofa for the relatives lounge of a local hospital where one of their members, Annie’s husband John has died from blood cancer. The ensuing story relates the ups and downs, trials and tribulations, cajoling and determination to create and publish a tasteful nude calendar centred around the Knapely WI activities to raise the funds. John had started growing sunflowers after his diagnosis and presented them to his friends and family hoping that he would have recovered by the time they bloomed. This flower therefore will always be a representation of their fundraising efforts.

The open stage was set with a moor scene with three steps down to the stage level and there were entrances for the players both left and right.

The Andy Martin scenery was brilliantly constructed on a revolve with a brilliant blue sky behind which added perspective. One side of the revolve was a realistic hilly moorland with rocks, a gate and a trickling stream. The reverse created the backdrop for the WI hall, conference, Knapely Arms and hospital. The flower shop was created with a truck laden with flowers and a sign and the WI hall had seats, a piano and a serving truck. Additional props, signs and decorations were added by members of the cast to dress the stage at appropriate times which drew you into the story.

The lighting which was excellent was provided by spots and Fresnel’s on vertical bars stage left and right and additional lighting on the stage. The cues were superbly delivered and added to the performance. The sound was delivered by speaker’s stage left and right. The mics were set at an appropriate level, every word could be clearly hear, well done.

Many congratulations to your costume team. They had certainly dressed all those on stage in outfits to show the variety of players involved in the piece. The Christmas outfits and the black ensembles at the end added to the feeling of the show. Congratulations. 

What a joy it is to have a live band who enhanced this production and were excellently conducted by your musical director.  The advantage of live musicians is that they can sympathetically allow a player to emote whilst delivering a song. Great work!

This musical is more than the tale of a group of women raising money for a sofa but about the deep friendships that they developed to help one of their own. I found myself sobbing; I hasten to add I was not alone; when Annie sang ‘Scarborough’ and was bowled over by her determination to carry out John’s wishes. What a superb actor this player is not a word or movement was wasted.   The performer depicting Chris had a fantastic voice with volume and dynamics and created a believable relationship with Annie, their determination to succeed was palatable with many laughs and tears alone the way. Their performances were breath taking a true tour de force demonstration of stage craft.

The actor portraying Cora, the unmarried mother and vicar’s daughter did a brilliant job. She created a strong character, showed determination in trying to control her son and singing of ‘Who Wants a Silent Night’ as one of the most humorous of the show. Another highlight was Celia’s delivery of ‘I’ve had a Little Work Done’. This actor created the persona of a former air hostess in a believable way. Her stance, flirty way, comedy timing and obvious dancing ability were superb.  Ruth fashioned a great characterisation of a person who was trying to please all, was in an unhappy marriage. She sang ‘My Russian Friend and I’ with feeling and made a wonderful drunk when she arrived unexpectedly to have her picture taken. Jessie, the retired schoolteacher had some wonderful lines which were delivered convincingly. I loved her comic response to lines and people’s reactions to them and she gave an excellent rendition of ‘What Age Expects’ which I’m sure resonated with many in the audience.

Each of the women in the cast had their own chance to show their character as did the controlling chair of the WI. She portrayed the uptight, snobbish chair attempting to control her daughter and entice her into her fold credibly. The tea ladies may not have appeared often on the stage but they certainly created a stir during the photo shot! Brenda and Lady Cravenshire were cameo parts but as important to the plot as any others.

The male characters in the show were not as prominent but were very important in the storyline John created a fantastic relationship; with a great vocal range and a broad accent; with Annie, always remaining positive no matter what was happening and pulled on the heartstrings. Rod was the voice of reason when Chris doubted her actions. Colin and Denis questioned and eventually supported their respective partners and Lawrence created a caring demeanour in hospital and showed his embarrassment when he was called in to take the photographs but eventually took control. The scene in the pub with the men was brilliant!

The three ‘teenagers’, exploring first love and showing how mortally embarrassed they are by their parents added a positive contribution to the storyline. The boys, Danny and Tommo, demonstrated great comic timing and the one liners between them were superb. Jennie definitely showed her bolshy side at the beginning which the character needed but you got the audience on your side. Great vocal work also!

I must pass on my sincere respect for all of the main women who were brave enough to bare almost all on the stage in front of a full house. The scene was certainly very tastefully choreographed and you had the feeling that this group had all become friends and the comradery was palatable between them. The addition of the tea ladies was an unexpected event.

It is very difficult not to just write a list of superlatives for this production because it was outstanding there was not a weak performer on the stage. It demonstrated the empowerment of the women on the stage all with stories to tell but working together for one goal. The accents, the singing, the characterisations, the comedy, the emotion was all there it was superb. 

Your Director Tony Outterside and Musical Director Laura Fox should be very proud of the company and how they all had the ability to handle all of lives struggles that were thrown at them with gravitas.

Can I finally mention all those other members of your team who didn’t actively perform in this show. Without them the performance would not have been at the standard it was. This was a production at a very high level many thanks for inviting me along to watch the ‘professional’ show you created. Many congratulations to you all. 

Disclaimer 

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance and it is inevitable that his assessment will be affected by that knowledge. 

The NODA Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular, the performance.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre. 

 It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

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