UK Theatre Network

This week, all the ingredients are in place for a wonderful night out at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, as we are treated to Tim Firth’s stage adaptation of the inspirational true story of the ‘Calendar Girls’.

The day that the original group of ladies from a Womens Institute in Yorkshire came up with the idea of posing ‘nude’ for an alternative WI Calendar, was surely a day to go down in the history books. Raising a few pounds for Leukemia Research was their aim; the outcome has been over 3 million pounds raised to-date and along the way, pleasure and enjoyment have been brought to so many through the subsequent film and stage play of their genuinely thrilling success.

There is unbridled pleasure to be drawn from this great production of Calendar Girls and yet it acknowledges right from the start that within this story, tragedy and comedy must sit side by side; for it was when one of the WI ladies lost her beloved husband to leukemia, that the group came together to support her and to put their energies into positive fund raising.  Jack Ryder’s direction enables us to move easily from hysterical laughter in one scene to simplicity and silence in the next which is made all the more powerful by the direct contrast.

Having said that, the evening is primarily one long run of laughter delivered by a very talented cast with some terrifically funny one-liners that will stay in the memory for some time to come. Lynda Bellingham is excellent as the driven and ambitious Chris, a role she originated in the West End back in 2008. Jan Harvey plays Annie, the bereaved wife, and the friendship between these two women is established from the outset, as they giggle their way through a WI talk entitled, ‘The Study of Broccoli’. Lovely comedy characters are also provided by Jennifer Ellison as Cora, June Watson as Jessie, Rula Lenska as Celia and Debbie Chazen as Ruth, all daring to face up to the more set in her ways WI organiser, Marie, played beautifully by Ruth Madoc. Although this production is more female dominated for obvious reasons, the men make fine contributions; John Labanowski as Rod, Bruno Langley as the photographer, and special mention to Joe Mcgann, as John, for a very touching performance indeed.

The truth of this tale is a joyous one. The original WI Ladies brought such positivity from tragic circumstances, posing in such a tastefully bare fashion to raise a little money for a good cause – a little that has turned out to be such a lot!  At the same time they have revolutionised the image of the WI. This stage adaptation is an hysterically funny version of events that never loses sight of the underlying sadness that inspired it and reinspires faith in the human race.

Award winning producers, David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers have announced this will be the final tour before the amateur rights are released, so make sure you get along to this hugely successful production and share a truly uplifting evening that will warm the heart and let the laughter ring out.

The Tour continues:
Monday 21 - Saturday 26 November

Liverpool Empire Theatre
Lime Street
LIVERPOOL
0844 871 3017

Monday 28 November - Saturday 3 December

Richmond Theatre
The Green
RICHMOND
0844 871 7651