What do you get if you combine some very famous Women’s Institue ladies, a story that was turned into a worldwide hit movie, and Gary Barlow?
Musical, Calendar Girls will be staged at the Loughborough Town Hall next month. Award-winning theatre group LAOS will be presenting the musical, based on the 2003 film which is in turn based on a true story.
Based on the famous women of real-life Rylstone WI who shot to fame with her nude calendar in 1999. They raised money in memory of the husband of one of the members who had died from leukaemia.
This production does have an extensive history. The inital story was turned into a hugely successful film – set in the fictional village of Knapely – with an all-star cast led by Helen Mirren and Julie Waters. After it became a hit stage play when it was launched in 2008 at the Chichester Festival Theatre. From there it went to the West End but the musical version began its life in 2015. It was originally entitled The Girls. It went onto Salford and the West End after its premiere in Leeds. It wasn’t until the UK and Ireland tour that it had a new title; Calendar Girls: The Musical. Music and lyrics are written by Take That legend Gary Barlow and the book by Tim Firth. It toured for 15 months and even won Best Regional Production in 2017 at the WhatsOnStage Awards.
The story is one of love, compassion and the sheer spirit of friendship and togetherness.
Calendar Girls is set in the fictional village of Knapely, the story is one of love, compassion and the sheer spirit of friendship and togetherness. At the heart of it are the WI members. Each of them has their own unique and special character, overcoming their own personal concerns and fears. They unite together for the cause they want to support. It is to raise money in memory of John Clake. He is the husband of Annie, taken before his time by cancer.
For anyone who has lost a loved one to this horrible disease, the emotion, despair and joy of happy memories will ring true.
Lianne O’Connor leads LAOS’ cast as Annie with Alix Ashurst as her best friend Chris. Support comes from Jo Dring as Celia, Natalie Littlewood as Cora, Joanna Hayes as Ruth, Kate King as Jessie, Mark Chinnery as John, Richard York as Rod, Kevin Clarke as Dennis, Malcolm Nurcombe as Colin, Ryan Sargisson as Lawrence, Kirstie Bennett and Melanie Swift as the Wilson sisters, Linda Adlam as Marie, Jack Cooling as Tommo, Oliver Halford as Danny and Jenny Pilbeam as Jenny.
Calendar Girls is at Loughborough Town Hall from September 6-10 at 7.30 pm each night, plus a Saturday matinee at 2.30 pm.
Tickets are £20 and £18 on 01590 231914 or online at www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk/events/2022/09/06/calendar_girls
