Darlington Hippodrome – until 25 November 2023
5*****
I doubt the ladies of Rylstone and District WI had any idea just what a phenomenon they and their calendar would become. But what started out as an idea to fund raise enough to buy a sofa, at the last count was £5 million and counting
Tim Firth, author of the film and original play, has reworked Calendar Girls as a musical with a helping hand from friend Gary Barlow. And though this is billed as a musical it feels more like a play with strategically and cleverly placed songs. The lyrics are witty and poignant and carry the show along in a much more subtle way that a normal musical does.
This time round the tour is a Kenwright production, some characters have been pruned and the story slightly rearranged, but it is still a story of triumph over adversity.
Setting up all the characters in the first song, the glorious celebratory Yorkshire, the first act deals with John’s diagnosis and treatment for cancer, mixing wonderful comedy set pieces with Annie’s growing realisation that she will lose her husband, as he keeps joking and telling her that everything will be alright. Outstanding Tanya Franks, as Annie, breaks your heart as she sings Scarborough and Kilimanjaro, both about the challenges of dealing with life alone.
The calendar is the brainchild of Annie’s madcap best friend Chris (Amy Robbins), who simply wants to provide a settee for the hospital. But, while Chris is eager to strip for charity, her friends take a lot of persuading. The second act builds up to the big shoot becoming a means of overcoming issues such as grief, age or physical self-consciousness. The shoot and the nudity are handled with warmth and charm, with a joy that brings huge cheers from the audience at every flash (from the camera!). The women bare their bodies in a hugely empowering way proving whatever size, shape or age – everyone is beautiful
Lynn Paul as Jessie is hilarious, delivering her lines with a ferocious bluntness – when considering her decision to pose nude she says: “Ok… but no front bottoms!” And there’s good work from Maureen Nolan as the lonely Ruth who sings My Russian Friend and I; Jayne Ashley stands in for Honeysuckle Weeks as a musical single mum and Vicar’s daughter Cora and Marti Webb as ex air-hostess and golf club misfit Celia who reveals I’ve Had a Bit of Work Done. Paula Tappenden also shines as WI Chairwoman Marie who opposes the calendar idea.
The males in the cast are important too, Colin R Campbell plays John with dignity and his death is so simple it makes it all the more emotional. Graham MacDuff as Chris’ husband Rod, who goes along with all her mad cap ideas and ends up taking the photos is fabulous but it’s a pity he doesn’t get to impress us with more of his vocal chops
Gary McCann’s set design is a joy with its simplicity allowing you to focus on the most important part of the play – the characters – and to concentrate on the relationships between them all. Barlow’s music is always catchy and the musical arrangements are a joy to listen to
The script and lyrics are unashamedly Northern in their humour, bringing all the high emotions and fears back to everyday things that real people would dwell on. This show is about celebrating the strength and beauty of women, especially in their last phase “their most glorious”. One of the most beautiful musicals around, this is made especially poignant by being a true story. Make sure you have an endless supply of tissues because by the end there won’t be a dry eye in the house
On tour around the UK – find tour dates here and if you’d like to join the WI find details here and donate Blood Cancer UK here