Calendar Girls – The Musical, Lyceum Theatre Sheffield Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by J Wright
In Sheffield this week at the Lyceum Theatre Calendar Girls – The Musical is lifting hearts and minds as autumn unfolds.
The story of the Calendar Girls made the news in 1999 when 11 women created the first calendar to raised money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research when sadly the events were true and a loved one was lost.
Later a film was written, transposing the story a little but retaining all the virtue and experiences of the 11 women and here again the story is presented as a musical. This time written by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth and in 2016 this created quite a stir in the world of theatre.
So here in Sheffield, and on Yorkshire soil where the tale is set it resonates to hear Yorkshire tones from the stage. From the outset I loved the set. The design is outstanding and creates an impossibly large space convincingly. I won’t spoil it for anyone yet to go. It is a visual triumph in my opinion.
The cast will be well known to many because they’ve appeared in film, theatre and television over decades, their faces and voices familiar. You’ll know Marti Webb and Maureen Nolan for their long standing careers and musical fame. Tanya Franks from popular TV, Lyn Paul from tv and stage, Amy Robbins primarily from TV and theatre, Honeysuckle Weeks mostly from TV and Paula Tappenden from stage though you might recognise her voice better from TV. I feel there’s a great sense of camaraderie amongst the cast bringing authentic relationships into their performances and informing their roles.
The events unfold and the narrative is illustrated by the songs interspersed and these women have some cracking vocal capability, bringing outstanding capacity for belting out a rousing song. They were a pleasure to listen to. However, what they were singing is another matter. The songs and some of the score is lacklustre and felt poor compared to the talent on stage. The purpose of some of the songs were lost in a lack of punch, rescued by the vocalists to a large degree. Given the pedigree of the show I was surprised and disappointed. None of the lyrics have stayed with me, I’m not humming bars which struck me.
However, the performers brought a wealth of characters, the gutsy, the timid, the one experiencing loss, the one feeling old, the musician, the golfer and supported both vocally and in performance by Colin R Campbell known in theatre and tv and Graham MacDuff mostly in theatre, both bringing additional moments of comedy to an already entertaining production. Their roles are sincere and earnest in their emotions and the audience seemed captivated by the loss and the powerful moments of sisterhood.
We can see a united front as the women support their beloved friend and share in her loss, working together, eventually, to create an outcome beyond their dreams. Feeling the positivity radiating from stage its easy to understand why this is a popular show, doubly lovely because of the truth behind it.
I’d recommend Calendar Girls -The Musical for the feel good factor, for the giggles, for the clever moments, for the empowering sisterhood and the wonderful reality. A great night out with the ladies in particular.
Tickets are still available though seating is limited, the balcony is closed, I’m guessing to spare the ladies’ blushes.
The show runs 19th – 23rd September with tickets from £15.00 to £55.50 and it’s a warming feeling in Septembers’ blustery weather. Call the box office on 01142496000 or check out the website at https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/calendar-girls-the-musical
Rating: 4.5/5