Calendar Girls - The Musical (Third From The Right Productions)

I've seen more than my fair share of musical theatre and ridden that emotional rollercoaster on numerous occasions however, TFTR Productions have built their own theatrical 'white knuckle ride' of a production with Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's, Calendar Girls - The Musical and if you don't shed a tear or two you are probably in the wrong theatre.

I guess the story about a Women's Institute in Yorkshire producing a nude calendar after the death of one of their husbands is well known but, it's the interwoven friendships and challenges before that happens that is at the core of this production, not to mention the 'Big C' which I imagine has sadly touched everybody at some point.

There is of course a central friendship between Chris (an ebullient and vocally exceptional performance from Natalie Baggott) and Annie who has lost her husband to that terrible disease and played with a gold medal level of emotion and a captivating vocal by Sarah Coussens. It is deceptively difficult to cry convincingly on stage, let alone continue to sing at the same time and her renditions of the numbers 'Scarborough' and 'Very, Slightly, Almost' are simply out of this world, I defy anybody not to (at least) well-up.

Two ladies of course are not enough for a calendar so more of the WI must be convinced to bare all to raise money for a settee at Skipton General Hospital, in the form of:

• Slightly repressed single mother and church organist Cora, played with a delicious comic streak (if her alternative Christmas Carols are anything to go by, you'll be singing 'Who Wants a Silent Night?' for the rest of this year) by Gaynor Whitehouse.
• Retired School Headmistress Jessie, proving that age is no delimiter when it comes to nude calendars, a piece of enigmatic character acting from Jo Tranter.
• Ex Air Hostess Celia who in her own words 'So I've had a Little Work Done' has succumbed to the plastic surgeon's scalpel although it wasn't noticeable behind those buns, a charismatic portrayal from Bekki Jackson.
• Lacking in confidence and rather 'under the thumb' of husband Eddie (who we never actually see) Ruth, a jewel of a performance from Gillian Homer, 'My Polish Friend and I' is another gloriously performed tearjerker.
• Striking out from behind their tea/coffee trolley with only an apron for cover, the Miss Wilson's in the shapely form of Laura Wright and Shan Nolan Beach.

There are of course those who don't support this inventive form of fundraising, importantly WI Chair, Marie played with defiant stoicism by Kaz Luckins whilst trying to raise rule breaking daughter Jenny (a lesson in young female dominance over young males by Niamh Hadley). Said young males being Danny (a confident portrayal of the coming-of-age process from Charlie Bullock) and Tommo (a confident portrayal of over-confidence, especially with the mature female, by Joe Neale).

Jeni Hatton's cameo performance as Lady Cravenshire is a joy but, it is her fleeting appearance as presenter Brenda Hulse that raises the greatest comedic moment, we are still waiting for the History of Broccoli, preferably with accompanying slides.

This is a production of dominant female performances but, I feel I must mention the males, Jez Luckins (John), Carl Cook (Rod), Ian Howarth (Colin), Adrian Raybould (Denis) and Sam Gordon (Lawrence) who act as amazing foils and without whom the story wouldn't be quite the same.

I struggle to find that right superlative to describe this production, perhaps 'superlative' is in itself the right one and made possible by a stellar cast directed by Jez Luckins, choreographed by Gaynor Whitehouse and musical direction from Chris Corcoran.

If you want to experience a bit of 'Yorkshire' in the West Midlands and a piece of musical theatre that is beyond engaging and tackles a difficult subject with grace and humour then grab a ticket while you can. 

Book Here