Calendar Girls: The Musical

I have seen some excellent productions performed by Pleasure Folk over the years, and this latest offering “Calendar Girls: The Musical” is among the very best. This award-winning British musical features music by Gary Barlow with lyrics by Tim Firth and is based on Tim Firth’s 2003 book and film. Originally titled “The Girls,” the show enjoyed a successful West End run and has toured extensively in the UK.
Calendar Girls centres on a moving and poignant narrative based on the true events surrounding a Yorkshire branch of the Women’s Institute. The story unfolds after the loss of Annie’s husband, John, affectionately known as Clarkey, following a battle with cancer. Annie and her friends face the challenge of finding a way to honour his memory while also supporting others living with similar grief. The women learn that the relatives’ room at Skipton Hospital, where families wait during difficult times, is furnished with an uncomfortable sofa. Determined to make a difference, the group decides to raise funds to buy a new, more comfortable one. Chris, Annie’s close friend and the driving force behind the initiative, proposes an unconventional idea: producing a nude calendar featuring the women of the Institute. In doing so, they defy expectations of what “ordinary” women should be—and set in motion a truly remarkable journey. Challenging preconceptions can cause problems, and the women are unprepared for the emotional and personal consequences of posing nude for their calendar,so the show looks at their personal struggles the group of friends face as they make their decision about going ahead with the idea. In the end after much thought and some trepidation they go ahead with the photo shoot, deciding to keep the images tasteful and true to the W.I., so they incorporate familiar pastimes into the photographs such as knitting, Plum-jam making and flower arranging. What begins as a local fundraiser grows into a global phenomenon, collecting funds for Blood Cancer UK and inspiring copycat calendars, a record-breaking film, a stage play, and now a musical. Within this context, the term “craughing”—crying and laughing at the same time—captures the emotional complexity experienced by both the participants and the audience.

This production was once again expertly directed by Gemma Briscoe, whose artistic vision and skill were instrumental in uniting an exceptional cast. Every member of the ensemble brought their talent to the stage, making it difficult to single out any individual for praise, as each contributed equally to the show’s success. Their collective effort resulted in a performance that was both entertaining and deeply moving, and the cast appeared to genuinely enjoy working together which created an infectious energy that resonated with the audience, which led to moments of laughter and even a few tears, as the audience became fully invested in the unfolding story.

Of note was the relationship between Liz Wainwright as Chris and Emma Heaton, who had a lovely singing voice, as Annie. Although their characters were very different, which they both nailed, their chemistry on stage made it appear as though they were lifelong friends, creating an authentic and heartfelt connection that never felt forced or artificial. Their performances stood out for the sincerity and depth. Other members of the cast also delivered outstanding performances, each bringing unique characterisations and good comic timing that contributed to delightful northern humour throughout the production.They included Zara Newton who made an impact with her comedic portrayal of Cora, a single mother and daughter of the local vicar. Her performance had natural warmth and an infectious sense of humour, adding an extra layer of charm to the ensemble.Jean Aspinall effectively captured both the wit and wisdom that define retired schoolteacher Jessie, bringing the character to life with authenticity.Ciara McEntee was Celia, a former air hostess who could be described as a glamorous trophy wife for her Golf loving husband, Ciara managed to strike a balance between forthrightness and vulnerability.Beth McClelland brought a good mix of poignancy and humour to the character of Ruth. As a woman overlooked by her husband and seeking companionship with her Russian friend—a bottle of vodkaKatie Charnock played Marie, the W.I. Chairperson, with an authoritative presence that also revealed the character’s underlying vulnerability. Composed and commanding, yet quietly fragile.Marie’s rebellious daughter and Danny’s occasional girlfriend Jenny was portrayed by Katie Swift,who delivered a strong performance that brought Jenny’s struggles and emotions to the surface. Defiant, conflicted, with heartfelt moments that added depth.Other supporting roles that were equally well performed. Ruth Grant appeared as Brenda, while Shelagh Swift, Fiona Bailey, and Dorothy Prothero portrayed The Miss Wilsons and Heather Furnivall was Lady Cravenshire

Several supporting performances by the male cast added real texture, depth and warmth to the story, balancing poignancy with well-timed humour.Mark Charnock as John Clarke (‘Clarkey’) produced a thoughtful and calming portrayal of a man facing a devastating diagnosis, that gave the show much of its emotional weight, especially in the moments where Clarkey dreams of the future and speaks of visiting Tibet.Jamie Mather as Rod (Chris’s husband): was well cast, with a believable, grounded relationship that complemented Chris’s energy.Charlie Geldart as Danny (Chris and Rod’s son) gave an entertaining performance with strong comic timing—the scene involving him being drunk made for a genuine laugh-out-loud moment.Ben Auriac as Tommo (Cora’s son) was similarly engaging, bringing humour and energy whenever he was on stage.Scott Allen, as Lawrence (John’s nurse) and the photographer, helped link the story’s emotional moments with the practicalities of creating the calendar.Steve Coghlan as Dennis, and Jim Briscoe as Colin: both contributed to the narrative and success of the show.Together, these performances helped sustain the show’s pace and added depth and vibrancy to the story and scenes.

The chorus, whose singing and overall performance remained consistently enjoyable throughout, ensured that they were as strong and engaging as the leading cast. Vocal coaching was provided by Ciara McEntee

 

The band featured a line-up of outstanding musicians, expertly led by Musical Director Marley Ellis-Brennan, who performed on Keyboard 2. Tess Raynor provided the melodies on Keyboard 1 with Benjamin Lawson handling Guitar, and Ingrid Codreanu playing Bass Guitar while Vince Wilcock completed the ensemble, bringing energy and rhythm on Drums. Their collective musicianship added depth and vibrancy to the production, elevating the musical experience for the audience.

The staging featured a beautiful Yorkshire countryside backdrop, supported by well-chosen props that helped establish each scene quickly and clearly. There was also two compact attractive well thought out side sets placed in front and either side of the proscenium: one for the florist’s shop and another for Clarkey and Annie’s potting shed. Scene changes were swift and efficient, keeping the pacing tight and ensuring the momentum never dipped. Well done to the stage crew. Lighting and sound were mostly handled efficiently throughout, supporting the action on stage and maintaining the show’s overall pace and atmosphere.However occasionally, during solo numbers, some lyrics were difficult to catch - possibly due to the sound balance between vocals and the band. Even so, thiswas an issue that did not detract from an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable production.

The show’s success was rooted in the collaborative spirit of the entire cast and creative team, whose work created a unified and thoroughly engaging experience. Beyond the entertainment, the story offers a gentle but powerful reminder about life, love, and resilience:  That grief is the price we pay for love, and time with friends and family is precious.  Also, when we lose people, life can still go on as there is hope, with support from friends and family especially when we are able to share our grief with others. These reflections could be felt strongly by the audience because of the cast’s performances and heartfelt delivery and as Clarkey says in the show while planting his sunflower seeds in his potting shed, plant a seed and then with a little rain and sunlight, it will grow.

 

 

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