Calendar Girls The Musical

Calendar Girls the Musical is based on the true story of a group of Yorkshire women from the Women’s Institute who, following the death of one member’s husband, decide to raise funds for a new sofa in their local hospital’s visitors’ lounge - by creating a nude calendar. What begins as a modest fundraising effort blossoms into a global phenomenon, empowering the women and forging deeper bonds of friendship and community. The musical blends humour and heartfelt emotion, charting the women’s journey from skepticism to self-discovery, with all the joy, vulnerability, and courage that entails. 

This was the first musical I'd seen directed by Katy Ellis and what a show it was! Her direction brought out tender, intimate moments between characters, balanced with bursts of comedy and raw emotion. The staging was clever and purposeful, especially during the calendar photo scenes. The use of props was ingenious, and it was clear the cast had built a foundation of trust and comfort to navigate these vulnerable moments and ensure their modesty. I applaud the bravery of the women involved - posing on a chilly October evening must have taken immense courage! 

The musical direction was provided by Daniel Waterfield, who also accompanied the cast each night. The cast all seemed confident in their musical numbers and there were some beautiful moments of harmony in the company numbers, which was much appreciated. Although the cast were accompanied by just a piano, it felt in keeping with the theme of events taking place at the WI. 

The cast of 19 brought their own personalities to the characters, each one very different.  I especially enjoyed the camaraderie between Jen McMahon (Annie) and Alison Thomas (Chris)—their friendship felt genuine and deeply rooted. The comedic timing throughout was spot-on, with “Protect Me Less” (performed by Rebecca Hayward, James Bell, Ann Chambers, and Alison Thomas) standing out for its sharp delivery and playful conversational rhythm. 

Special mention goes to Amy Ford (Cora), Carole Haynes (Jessie), Sam Gell (Celia), Clare Patrick (Ruth), Corrina Quarterman (Miss Wilson – Tea), and Kerry-Ann McCormack-Morgan (Miss Wilson – Coffee), who all took part in the calendar scenes with poise and humour. The entire ensemble was well-rehearsed and slick, managing props and scene transitions without detracting from the main action on the stage. he backstage crew were also seamless and quiet with their scene changes. 

The lighting was well-suited to the setting, providing a natural feel to the piece overall. Unfortunately, the sound operation let the cast down. Initially, those offstage had live mics and their conversations could clearly be heard above the cast on stage, which was quite uncomfortable as an audience member. This was resolved partway through Act One. It’s a shame that there were technical difficulties with one of the microphones in Act Two however, the cast could still be heard clearly when the microphones weren't working. 

There was an immense number of props used within this production, all were appropriate and on theme. The props used for the calendar shoot scene were cleverly thought out and placed perfectly, in addition, the costumes suited each of the characters’ personalities and added an extra layer to their characterisation. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this production. The cast brought humour, heart, and humanity to the stage, delivering a true emotional rollercoaster. It was a celebration of courage, friendship, and the power of community. 

 It was heartwarming to see a full audience thoroughly enjoying the performance. Thank you, Tingdene Entertainers, for a warm welcome and an entertaining evening.

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