Calendar Girls is a typically British, typically northern musical with a gorgeous soundtrack, moments of laugh-out-loud humour and a whole lot of heart that means you leave the theatre beaming from ear to ear.
Brought to life by Third From The Right Productions, Gary Barlow and Tim Firth’s musical is based on the worldwide big-screen phenomenon of the same name. It charts the story of a group of ordinary ladies who did something extraordinary when Annie's husband dies from leukaemia.
Her fellow WI member - and best mate - Chris decides they need to create a calendar with a difference - a ‘nude’ calendar to raise money for the local hospital. They come up against a raft of opposition but, ultimately, support and perseverance pays off.
Before now, I’ve singled out Calendar Girls as the show that never quite got the run it deserved. Opening in Leeds and Salford in 2015, it moved to the West End in 2017 lasting just 6 months before it toured the UK with a raft of stars including Leslie Joseph, Denise Welch and Ruth Madoc.
It’s a heart-warming and hilarious story which, combined with Barlow’s music and lyrics, make the societies return to The Cornbow Hall one not to be missed.
As soon as you enter the auditorium you’re cast into the Yorkshire Dales with a set which is visually beautiful. Simplistic yet functional, it provides a perfect backdrop to the performance.
A special nod should be given to The Cornbow Hall too. Not so many months ago it was at danger of being sold off, but it was pleasing to see Dudley Council make a u-turn and keep this small, but perfectly functional venue in its stable.
However, what makes this production so special are the people on stage. The cast are, quite simply, exceptional.
It sounds cliche, but I still find it astounding that the majority of them hold down a day job to pay the bills such is the calibre of the performances we saw this evening.
It feels callous to have favourites because Calendar Girls really is an ensemble piece. So much of the humour is derived from situation and delivery that everyone needs to bring a consistent a-game...and bring it they did.
It's fair to say that, mostly based on the size of the stage, there was less set to play with than we've seen in previous incarnations of the show. However the cast didn't let that stand in their way and used every inch of the stage to tell the story.
Special mention goes to Natalie Baggott for an amazing portrayal of Chris. Baggot's personification of the role was exceptional and amongst the best I've seen. Her stage presence was commanding and you could honestly have told me she'd played the part for years in the capital and I wouldn't have batted an eyelid.
Alongside Sarah Coussens, who is another phenomenal talent, it was the natural chemistry of these two key ladies that made the show so special. Coussens rendition of Scarborough was simply beautiful and you could hear a pin drop as the final note hit.
The war-cry she let out when she came to terms with John’s diagnosis elicited a sharp intake of breath from the audience; I’ve never seen that moment performed in that way and the power it commanded was palpable.
Jo Tranter deserves a mention too for her brilliant one liners as retired head mistress, Jessie. It takes a special skill to deliver the lines that are going to bring an audience to tears and a good chunk of those lie with Woolley - a responsibility which doesn't phase her one bit!
However, to reiterate my point, the strength of this production comes from the tightness of an amazing cast. This isn’t a company which is so large you have to add roles in to fit the quantity of people on stage. TFTR is a smaller group who prove quality is the prevailing variable that makes a show a success.
This is an incredibly special piece of theatre. After this many years of reviewing it's not always the case that you feel compelled to go back to see a show, in the same venue for a second time. This incarnation of Calendar Girls gives you that feeling and proves the professional production's run ended too soon.
Some shows make you laugh, some make you cry - Calendar Girls does both (and quite often simultaneously) and TFTR should give themselves a huge pat on the back for a job very well done.
Here’s hoping this is the start of more revivals in the same vein!
TFTR's production of Calendar Girls is at The Cornbow Hall until the 19th November. For more information - or to get your tickets - visit tftrproductions.co.uk.
