The smash-hit stage show Calendar Girls the Musical has rolled into Bath and oh boy, don’t the cast make the most of this feel-good brand-new production.
The musical features a cast of music, stage and television stars, including Laurie Brett (EastEnders), Maureen Nolan (The Nolans, Blood Brothers), Lyn Paul (The New Seekers, Blood Brothers), Honeysuckle Weeks (Foyle’s War), Helen Pearson (Hollyoaks), Samantha Seager (Coronation Street) and Liz Carney (The Full Monty, The Mousetrap).
At Tuesday’s performance, the role of Annie was performed by Victoria Hay instead of Laurie Brett.
If you’ve never seen it, the plot focuses on a group of ordinary women, in a small Yorkshire Women's Institute, who are prompted to do an extraordinary thing following the death of a much-loved husband John Baker (no relation!).
The real-life John was a fit 53-year-old ‘who’d never had a day’s illness in his life’ according to his wife Angela. But in February 1998, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkinson’s lymphoma and died just five months later.
Inspired by his vision, some members bravely set about producing a nude calendar to raise money in his memory to buy a new sofa for their local district hospital.
The real-life story of the Calendar Girls launched a global phenomenon: a million copycat calendars, a record-breaking movie, stage play and a musical written by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth.
This production sees the incredible true story continue to bloom like a sunflower, the symbol of the show, with a reimagined book and new music.
Like the film and the stage play, Calendar Girls The Musical is a heart-warming story of grief, friendship and connection, and this show is packed with songs and laughter, celebrating the joy of life.
The cast in this new production are incredibly experienced and their on-stage friendship and connecting bond was evident.
The ‘calendar shoot’ scenes are hilarious, yet empowering, and very tastefully done, as one might expect. If you’re expecting to see lots of bums and boobs, there are only two (very brief) flashes.
The driving force behind the calendar is Chris, nicely played by Samantha Seager, ably supported by understudy Victoria Hay as Annie, John’s wife.
But they had some excellent support from Maureen Nolan as Ruth, who downs a bottle of vodka before daring to bare all; Lyn Paul as Jessie, the strict former teacher and one of the older ladies in the group; and Helen Pearson, as the posh Celia, who’s had a ‘boob job’ to increase the size of her bust.
Honeysuckle Weeks as piano-playing Cora; Liz Carney as Marie, who’s the WI chair and dead set against the calendar being produced; Colin Campbell as the inspirational John; and Andrew Turton as Rod, the hapless wildlife photographer who finds himself having to shoot the girls naked, complete the very talented cast.
All’s well that ends well, and when the WI group discover they’ve made enough money to purchase a new wing for their local hospital, even Marie comes round.
Aside from Victoria Hay, the other two understudies are Jayne Ashley and Lucas August.
Driven by Tim Firth’s and Gary Barlow’s dialogue and songs, the musical is heartwarming and uplifting. It’s directed by Jonathan Boyle, with design by Gary McCann, sound by Dan Samson and lighting by Nick Richings.
The Calendar Girls The Musical tour supports Blood Cancer UK, the charity dedicated to funding research into all blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, as well as offering information and support to blood cancer patients.
Calendar Girls The Musical appears at the Theatre Royal Bath to Saturday, March 9. To book tickets call the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or visit www.theatreroyal.org.uk
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