Calendar Girls the Musical, Milton Keynes Theatre Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Amanda Dando

Calendar Girls the Musical arrived in Milton Keynes Tuesday 17th October. This is Gary Barlow and Tim Firth’s stage version of the much loved film.  Milton Keynes Theatre is very accessible in central Milton Keynes, with plenty of parking and bar/restaurant options in the immediate area.

We arrived in good time to be seated in a packed theatre.  If you have seen the film then the stage show is a must for sure, and although doesn’t follow exactly the same path, the journey is the same, if that makes sense.  I’ve always been admiring of the story and the sentiment behind what led to an ordinary group of women doing something quite extraordinary and be in a nude calendar.

The show is a strong cast of wonderful women and the opening number, the signature tune Yorkshire just makes your heart swell.  The emotion even at that early stage set the hairs up on the back of my neck.  The staging is just fabulous, it fits the story well, and you really can imagine you are watching it play out in a community hall in the heart of Yorkshire with the sunshine and scenic views flooding the windows, just beautiful.  The show has changed since I last saw it and there are some new tunes, but the favourites are still there.

The ladies of course steal the show, how can they not, baring not just their souls for us all to see this evening.  I have such admiration for them all, but this is thought provoking and you do reflect would you do this if asked.  I would like to think I would.  It’s a brave brave thing to do, but for all the right reasons.  I am sure all of us deep down, if faced with the reality of cancer and knowing in some small way your indignity might bring some good from a devastating loss, would do the same.  Everyone in the cast was simply brilliant but I guess the stand out for me was Chris played by Amy Robins, along with Annie played by Tanya Franks.

The show isn’t all doom and gloom despite the subject, and there is some great humour in amongst the singing and the stark reality of losing your husband.  It is treated sensitively but sometimes humour is all that gets you through.  If you don’t laugh, you will cry and this I think is what keeps these ladies strong.  It’s most certainly a show that I could watch again and again.  Although at times I felt terribly sad, I was so uplifted by the friendships and determination to do the lost loved one proud.  It’s something we should all aspire to.

Bravo for all the ladies, you must have nerves of steel!  Naked in front of I don’t know how many people must take a whole heap of courage.  But then isn’t courage what gets us through every day.  It’s a fantastic evening out, you really won’t be disappointed.

Rating: 5/5

Showing at Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Central Milton Keynes MK9 3NZ 17-21st October 2023
Tickets from £13.00 plus transaction fee £3.80
www.atgtickets.com

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/calendar-girls-the-musical/milton-keynes-theatre/
Call the Box Office 0844 871 7627