This Calendar Girls is the award winning hit musical based on the film of the same name. That in turn was inspired by the true story of ordinary women achieving something extraordinary. The productions returns to the stage as part of a UK tour after receiving five star reviews during its long run in London’s West End.
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The story features a group of Yorkshire women – mothers and wives who regular meet at the Women’s Institute. They decide to raise money to donate a couch to their local hospital in memory of the sudden passing of Annie’s husband John.
They come up with the sensational idea of posing for a nude calendar – overcoming prim and propers stereotypes embedded in the Women’s Institute and shattering glass ceilings for women along the way. However this is far from a raucous tale of nudity.
Friendship, love, grief, bereavement and teenage rebellion are among the themes covered by the well-developed characters. The interweaving individual stories of friends uniting together is the true success of this production. There is palpable camaraderie between the actors on stage, which is probably useful when you get your kit off in front of a full theatre.
The show features a host of household names such as Sarah Jane Buckley (Hollyoaks), Judy Holt (Coronation Street), Lesley Joseph (Birds of a Feather), West End veteran Rebecca Storm and Glasgow’s very own Karen Dunbar (Chewin the Fat, The Karen Dunbar Show).
She delivered some of the biggest laughs of the night with cracking one liners and peppers the script with local references.
The songs, written by Take That’s Gary Barlow, help propel the story along and give characters the chance to leap centre-stage. However, there are no real show stopper numbers. T
The simplistic yet effective set design by Robert Jones of the beautiful rolling Yorkshire countryside compliments the atmosphere of the show and defines a sense of place.
The highlight of the show is the calendar shoot – cleverly and cheekily staged to avoid giving too much away. Each character reluctantly takes to the stage for their photo shoot complete with appropriate props to hide their modesty. Hilarity ensues, with cheers and laughter from the audience.
An entertaining, at times poignant, show with body and soul.
Calendar Girls is at the King’s Theatre until 22nd June.