Reviewed by Catherine Joyce
Last night we went to the opening night of Calendar Girls – The Musical at Blackpool Opera House. We love seeing shows at this theatre as it is a lovely old building and has lots of original features. The seating is comfortable and there is plenty of leg room, important when you are over 6 foot tall! No matter where you sit there is always a good view of the stage and the staff are always very helpful and friendly.
The original Calendar Girls film was inspired by the death of Angela Baker’s husband John, an Assistant National Park Officer for the Yorkshire Dales, who died from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 54. Whilst he was ill, his friends began to raise money to purchase a sofa for the visitors’ lounge in the hospital where John was being treated. Their fundraising really took off once they decided to create a calendar featuring naked WI ladies, resulting in a huge amount of money being raised for Leukaemia Research after his death. The 2003 film of the story was a huge success; I remember going to see it at the cinema and then buying the video when it was released and I have never tired of watching the film.
Calendar Girls – The Musical has been created by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth and premiered in Leeds in 2015. I’m a huge Gary Barlow fan so knowing that he had written the music and lyrics added an extra dimension for me. Each and every song was brilliant and whilst they weren’t as catchy and memorable as a Take That hit they told the story perfectly. The songs were funny and well written, and we especially enjoyed Sue Devaney’s “Who Wants a Silent Night” and Lisa Maxwell’s “I’ve Had a Little Work Done” for injecting a great bit of humour into the show.
There was a good balance between spoken sections and music and the story flowed easily. Whilst the show’s main theme is centred on the death of John, his wife’s grief and then the fundraising for the sofa it is definitely not a sad story, it is very much a comedy albeit with a serious context.
As well as the WI ladies there were three teenagers in the musical, the children of Annie, Chris and Marie. Whilst their parents were getting on with “important things”, the three teenagers were coming to terms with their own issues of life and love which made a great addition to the story. All three of them played great parts and had a great rapport. Tommo (Tyler Dobbs) and Danny (Danny Howker) were both spot on with great stage presence and comedic timing.
Full use was made of the large stage at the Opera House, the opening scene firmly setting the location as Yorkshire, a drystone wall and field gate framed the right and the steeply raked stage added a feeling of perspective, drawing our eyes to the dales in the background. For the other locations in the story, simple lighting and props were used to move us from village hall to hospital and to the WI conference.
The story builds until the calendar’s photos need to be taken. As each lady poses the cast cleverly use various props to ensure their modesty remains intact. It is very tastefully done scene and although there is the odd brief flash nothing is really seen! Julia Hills as Ruth was particularly funny eventually relying on her “Russian Friend” to pluck up the courage to take part. To take your clothes off in front of a huge audience must take some courage, especially for the older members of the cast but it was done brilliantly and the audience loved it.
I’ve seen the film and know the story but did wonder how it would translate to the stage. Having now seen the musical I can understand why it has become so popular and would definitely recommend this show. The UK tour is well underway and is playing at the Opera House until 19th October.
If you want a great night out with plenty of laughs, then you must see this show as I can guarantee you will love it.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £15 (booking fees may apply).
Calendar Girls – The Musical is at the Blackpool Opera House from 15-19 October 2019, for more information or to book tickets visit www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk or call the box office on 0844 856 1111.
Winter Gardens & Opera House Theatre, 97 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1HL
