Grand Opera House York – until Saturday 30th April 2022.
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
4****
Calendar Girls is based on a true story of middle-aged women, centring around the Women’s Institute, Yorkshire, grief, and friendship. After the husband of one of the members dies from cancer, a group of women decide to raise money for the local hospital and its family room. This endeavour proved to be such a success that a movie followed, before being adapted to stage, and now Gary Barlow and Tim Firth have turned it in to a musical. York Stage, under the direction of Nik Briggs, has bought the tale back to Yorkshire and the Grand Opera House in York.
Before I even start, I need to give a huge shout out to young Louie Theaker who stepped in to play Tommo with just an hours’ notice. He did a fabulous job and is a natural on stage, well done for putting a smile on all our faces.
Straight from the opening number, Yorkshire, where we have our first introduction to the cast, you just know you are going to be in for a treat. We are drawn into the gorgeous Yorkshire Dales and life of the ladies of the WI in the fictitious village of Knapley. The ladies all have one thing in common, the WI, with their meetings involving baking, lectures from the local community and knitting, real nail-biting stuff, though some members were quite naughty, rebelling against the traditional, quintessential British institution.
There’s a cake making competition with other WIs, where the best Victoria Sponge is what everyone wants to win. Chris (Julieann Smith) is a rubbish cook and enters an M&S shop bought one, which then goes on to win. Chis comes up with the idea to do a WI calendar, but not your traditional one, no, a nude one instead, to raise money. The husband, John (Mick Liversidge) of her best friend Annie (Jo Theaker) is struck down with cancer and the families room desperately needs a new sofa. After the initial shock, these madcap pair cajole and persuade other members of the organisation to join in, and we are taken on a journey of self-discovery.
The famed photo shoot is hilarious from start to finish. A somewhat embarrassed Lawrence (Finn East) has been roped in to stage the photos, tastefully of course, whilst averting his eyes, but are the buns big enough? This was done very tastefully with great props. Huge credit to the ladies here, yes, they took their clothes off.
Both Theaker and Smith, stalwarts of York Stage, have great chemistry together, your really believe they are best of friends, getting up to all sorts of mischief. Theaker has an amazing voice and really hits the heart strings, struggling through grief, with her portrayal, very powerful. Smith is another strong singer, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She was a blast and very feisty.
The other ladies were the icing on the cake. Cora (Rosy Rowley) resplendent with her very curly hair and superb voice. Celia (Tracey Rea) great bust and comedic timing. Jessie (Sandy Nicolson) is full of warmth as the former headmistress, still revered by former pupils, I only wish I had a head like her. Ruth (Juliet Waters) and her baking, too timid to try and change, until her “Russian Friend” gets involved, her portrayal of letting her hair down was very funny.
The husbands gave solid performances as good old Yorkshire men but were very much supporting roles to the women. Sam Roberts as Danny, Izzie Norwood as Jenny, and Louie, as the teenagers, bought a wonderful comedic element to the production and I hope to see them performing on stage again. The whole ensemble were a joy to watch, bringing so much energy to the stage. Everyone should be proud of what they achieved on the stage.
Whilst the WI may appear to be very middle class, dominated by the more mature woman, you cannot fault the camaraderie and support that it offers. And not forgetting all the money it has raised for charity.
Once again, York Stage has hit the mark. This depiction was truly hilarious, a rollercoaster of emotions, truly uplifting. Make sure you go and see this heart-warming and heart wrenching show. It is a joy to watch, you will not be disappointed.