Reviewed by Louise Watts
Back in 2003, a film was released based on a true story, which would chance the image of the traditional WI forever! Starring Julie Walters, Helen Mirren and Annette Crosbie to name but a few, the film was “Calendar Girls”. Based in Yorkshire and featuring the local WI group, we are introduced to friendship and love. Following the death of one of the members husbands from cancer, the ladies decide to fundraise to buy a memorial sofa for him by releasing a calendar. Not so odd, I hear you say? The difference is that in this calendar, the girls are in their birthday suits with a few strategically placed props!
Roll on just over a decade and with the fantastic composing and song writing skills of Gary Barlow, we now have the incredible Calendar Girls the Musical, which first appeared on stage in 2015.
Last evening, myself and my friend went to the Orchard Theatre, Dartford to see the opening nights performance. With a star-studded cast including Denise Welch and Fern Britton we were hoping for a raucously funny evening! The auditorium was packed out and the atmosphere was amazing. There was a good mix of men and women in the audience as well as a good mix of ages.
From the moment the opening song had finished, we knew we were in for a fantastic evening. The songs were written perfectly to compliment the story and the music was just beautiful. The set was incredible and really made you feel that you were in the Yorkshire Countryside, when in fact you were in Dartford town centre!
All members of the cast were outstanding but there were a few that particularly stood out for me. Firstly, Pauline Daniels who played Jessie. This role is usually played by Ruth Madoc, but on this occasion, Pauline had the honour of making us all fall in love with the retired teacher. Pauline was just amazing. She made me come to love Jessie’s character. Karen Dunbar who played Cora – the single mother whose dad is the vicar! She had me in stitches, her absolutely hilarious acting was a delight to watch and full credit to her for having the confidence to bare all at the piano!
As we got to the climax of the show where the ladies were having their pictures taken for the calendar, each lady got a huge round of applause for having the guts to do it. I have to say on occasion, there was not a lot of margin for error, but I think the ladies’ dignity remained intact. The show ended with a standing ovation which was thoroughly deserved by all. The evening had been literally side splitting, I cannot remember the last time I laughed so much!
The theatre was buzzing before the show with the restaurant packed and the bars full. The food coming into the restaurant looked delicious and I was rather jealous that I did not have time to eat! The staff were polite and eager to please as always and parking was easy in the adjacent multi storey car park. At an evening rate of £3 which can be paid on arrival to avoid the queues at the end, parking is one less stress to have to worry about.
I would thoroughly recommend going to see the show if you can. You will laugh so much but also feel the serious emotional side that triggered the fundraising to begin with. For ladies past the child bearing age or who have children, you will need to take 2 items with you – a pack of tissues for the sad moments and a pack of Tena Lady for the others!! Not a show for one with a weak pelvic floor!
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £22.50 to £51.50 (booking fees may apply).
Calendar Girls the Musical is at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford from 5-16 March 2019, for more information or to book tickets visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01322 220000.
The Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1ED | 01322 220000
