Calendar Girls The Musical

Skipton Musical Theatre Company were back on stage with a smash hit of a musical this week at the Skipton Town Hall. You see the benefit in the opening number, Yorkshire, an extended chorale that introduces all the key characters and establishes the supposedly timeless nature of life in the Dales: “The seasons come and go and yesterdays don’t change.” But the whole point of the show is to dismantle that argument and prove that, through female agency and a bit of Yorkshire gumption, a life of cosy routine can be disrupted. This production had so much heart and soul it was hard not to ovate at the end – which people did for this outstanding performance. Directed by Jay Cundell Walker this sensitive story was made ever more real and raw. Set amongst the Yorkshire fell, which was projected on screen at the back of the stage throughout and reminded those who work and live in the area how lucky we are.

The production had heart and soul and I cannot underestimate how much depth of character and on-stage comradery there was. It appeared to myself in the audience that this was an iconic moment in this cast’s lives, such passion that you rarely see on the amateur stage, an evening where a cast communicates to an audience something that they care truly about. The on-stage friendships they had were wonderfully portrayed to the audience and this was a production for the memory books for both cast and audience and one that will certainly be hard to top!

The musical director for this production was Michael Gilroy. I really enjoyed the band and the direction throughout.

The lighting design seemed simple but effective and it was clear that Jay had had a challenge in lighting the show due to the venue, a concert hall, but was clearly overcome to great effect though well thought out blocking and staging.

For those that know the story of Calendar Girls, the casting of the two best friends is crucial to ensure that friendship comes across on stage. The casting of Nikki Barrett and Paula Vickers as Annie and Chris was nothing short of genius! I think we all need a friendship like these two! Nikki and Paula were formidable in the roles they played and their versions of Annie and Chris was outstanding.

The supportive cast were hilarious in comic timing and line delivery also. I loved the dry wit and the brilliant one-liners that Sharon Wilson brought as Jessie.  The rest of the “calendar girls” also brought their own stories to the stage Laura Lipscombe’s version of Cora was brilliant, wonderfully portraying the single mum with the teenage son, played by Jordan Preston who when together showed a wonderful connection. Stephanie Burgess was great as the snooty Marie. Rachael Warren used facial expression voice and body in an excellent way to portray the character of the stuffy Ruth which made me fall in love with her from the opening scene. To the audience surprise at the start of Act 2, something totally unexpected but greatly portrayed by Rachel. Ruth explores her reliance on vodka, eventually using drink to quell her fears about undressing Samantha Harrison also gave a great performance as the surgically enhanced Celia. Each of the “calendar girls having their own back story which was portrayed beautifully by each actor and those alongside.

Behind every great woman is a supportive man. The male cast in this production were certainly that. Each actor brought something fresh and new to the table which enhanced the overall production and made the women stand out and the storyline become the driving force. A huge well done to Paul Addy Armitage (John), Callum Hutchinson (Lawrence), Neil Wilnes (Rod), Steve Charlton (Denis) & Stephen Wilson (Colin). Despite me not going into detail in this review, I sincerely enjoyed all your performances, and your contribution did not go unnoticed. Each one showing a wonderful connection between them and the female character they related to.

The three younger members in this production again, positively contributed to the humour (which then aided the serious parts). Great comic timing and one liners from Toby Garbutt (Danny) and Jordan Preston (Tommo). I loved the version of Jenny that Jessica Fullerton brought.  Great vocal performance too!

Well done too to Anna Burke and Meryll Mohan Hill playing Miss Willson’s and Anita Eccles as Brenda Hulse/Lady Cravenshire.

As I have already mentioned, the stars of this show were both the main casting of the women and the storyline itself. Having such great naturalistic acting and having real actors who can sing, really allowed the storyline to be some prominent. A huge well done to the entire cast and crew of Skipton Musical Theatre Productions for this wonderful production.

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