Reviews

Calendar Girls (Tour – Darlington)

Following on from the smash hit film, the stage version of Calendar Girls, by Tim Firth, has been packing theatres, both in the West End and on tour for quite some time. However knowing the show quite well, I must admit that the present touring cast are the best I have seen in the production of the play.

The story, based on fact is a simple one, the women of a Yorkshire W.I. try to raise money for a new sofa at the Skipton Hospital relatives’ room, following the death of one of their husbands from cancer. To make more money they decide to produce a nude calendar and by doing so literally make news around the world, with global sales to date having exceeded three million pounds.

Leading the cast is Lesley Joseph (Birds of a Feather) who brings a human side to Chris, the driving force behind the calendar, while Sue Holderness (Marlene in Only Fools and Horses) conveys an iron will is hidden within the gentle Annie, as she sees her husband’s death being used for commercial purposes. Kathryn Rooney adds the glamour to the cast as Celia, who leads the way in the WI by stripping off first, hidden behind those famous buns. It is obvious from the start that the cast (who are all familiar faces from TV) work well together and are enjoying themselves, a fact that easily transfers across the footlights to the audience.

While there is obviously a serious side to this show and some very sad and tender moments, the comedy carries the production along at a cracking pace. With this cast touring until August, there has never been a better time to see Calendar Girls.