Calendar Girls, The Musical

From collecting my ticket to finding my seat, it was evident I was going to have a special night. Most of the audience had already taken their seats and I had a sense that something wonderful was about to happen.

I’ve seen the show only once before, but it really has a homely, Yorkshire feel to it. From the first to the last notes played by the band, it drew me in completely and I was engrossed.

I first became aware of the musical back in 2015 when one of my sons was the first through the door at the open auditions for Tommo at Leeds Grand. The show was then known as The Girls and now retitled Calendar Girls, it has established itself as a favourite in the am dram world as well as on the professional stage.

The story centres around a group of women, some with husbands, some with children and one with a special Russian friend. On the surface we see them coping day to day, or not, yet as the story unfolds, we discover not only the reason why the Calendar was created, but also how they cope when times are tough and just how invaluable friendships can be.

The scenery is simple, colourful and serene. It acts as a calming background to the action, and we are transported easily from one scene to another, whether inside the Women’s Institute or in the school grounds. The action is well planned and the various entrances and exits allow for fluid movement during dialogue and songs.

Costumes are well thought out, giving us gentle hints as to the characters being played and ensuring we neither confuse one with another, nor do we get any sense of stereotype. These feel like real people ... like your friends and neighbours … like a perfect fit for the story they are telling. There is one scene, of course, where a lack of costumes is certainly at the fore, but more of that later.

The society had needed to move theatres with very little notice, and I really felt for them, having planned everything to play in Cleckheaton Town Hall and then moving to Batley. For me, the sound lacked clarity at times and the band was often a little loud, but in general the musicians played this wonderful score with ease, perfect for the setting and the vocals were strong.

The production was very well cast. It’s wonderful to see such a mix of ages onstage and for this to truly represent the range of people we might engage with in our lives, be they school friends, partners or just a group of women sharing similar pastimes.

The three students, Danny, Jenny and Tommo, played by Matthew Armitage, Lucy Wood and Zac Swift, brought instant life and energy to the stage. Their roles are really well written and their performances were engaging, with clearly executed emotional resonance and comic timing. I would have liked to have seen more natural relationships with their parents, although this can often take time to build, which is a luxury during rehearsals for some societies.

The men folk delivered their roles with strength and humour. I particularly liked the vignette where they have just been told about the Calendar – they held their poses with such aplomb, showing great stage presence and a good connection to each other. John was played with particular tenderness and care for his wife. It must be quite a challenge to show this character as his health declines and he becomes more frail; Jai Jai Ekins’ portrayal was humbling to watch.

And so to the ladies of the piece. Such a great-all-round group of women share their talents with us in this production …. In more ways than one! Based on a true story of ladies in the WI, this cast portray the roles of Annie, Chris, Jessie, Celia, Ruth, Cora and Marie with such delight, energy, humour, anguish and pathos.

Sheelagh Wood as Annie, Christine Kenny as Chris and Kazia Gamble as Jessie stole the show for me, although it is hard to separate them from the other ladies. Well rehearsed to the point of being so down to earth and natural, they were not mere characters, they really made us feel the highs and lows of their lives. Excellent vocals from Chris, she really owned the stage and perfect comic timing from Jessie, so at ease with where she is in her life. And as for Annie, what a heartfelt and emotive portrayal of a woman torn apart by the failing health of her beloved John. Sheelagh had stoicism in the journey she must make, and yet has a love for her man that surpasses all the sorrow she must bear, and which enables her and the other ladies to confront their feelings, raise their voices and make a difference.

Congratulations to all who made the Calendar shoot such a funny and moving scene. Chris Littler-Moore as Lawrence the photographer must surely have had a delightful time rehearsing and performing with this wonderful cast of ladies. Such a unique role and played with such sensitivity throughout, the direction and creativity was wonderful to see and the audience really felt truly supportive of the brave ladies literally baring all.

Thank you for inviting me to see this production, it really was a feel-good show.

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