Calendar Girls by Tim Firth (April 2013)

St. Michael's Players struck gold with their latest production, Tim Firth's play 'Calendar Girls'. Most drama groups have problems in casting big productions; even if your lead players are excellent the minor roles may undermine the best efforts of the director, but not so in this case. Every character was nicely judged and one believed in all of them.  Of course one could find something negative about this or that to prove one stayed awake, but that would be mean, set against all the pluses of an absorbing evening (even if some of us may have secretly hoped that we would see rather more than we were meant to as the calendar came into being!)

To my mind the play, tender and amusing by turns, worked better than the film in that it focused on the Yorkshire community rather than wandering off to America, and this sense of place was reinforced on the tiny stage by the breathtaking folding set, sunflowers and all, which earned a two minute ovation from the audience (and rightly so) the night I was there.

Everyone deserves high praise; not just the cast but the stage crew, lighting and sound teams (the music was perfect), costume co-ordinator, and above all producer/director, Adrian Ellis who brought the whole thing together. If his is the only name I have mentioned it is because I would hate inadvertently to inadvertently overlook any one individual, because this was above all a team effort.

Thank you for a splendid evening" Peter W

"I can confirm that the £1,400 arrived our bank account as I received the statement a few days ago. Thanks for transferring, and again, great effort for raising such a sum"  Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research 

"I just wanted to let you know how much I, and I believe the whole audience, enjoyed your performance of Calendar Girls last night. Without exception, all the actors got totally into character which ensured that we were absorbed into the storyline rather than being distracted by any issues that may have been going on behind the scenes (if previous experience is a guide). It is a credit to the team that I really believed that the personalities of the cast were a perfect match with the characters they played (I hope I don’t get slapped when I next meet any of them !!). In summary, what a great way to spend an evening. Very apparent that a lot of hard work has gone into the whole production. Congratulations and I look forward to the next one. Please pass on my thanks to the cast and production team" Peter A

Cast

Cora - Michelle Tomlinson

Chris - Jane Atkinson

Annie - Elizabeth Ollier

Jessie - Bryony Wilman

Celia - Madeleine Hazard

Ruth - Anny Hooker

Marie - Sue Darrieulat

Brenda Hulse - Jo Harry

John - Paul Smith

Rod - Alastair Dewar

Lady Cravenshire - Christine Neyman

Lawrence - Marc Pearce

Elaine - Fleur de Henrie

Liam - Chris Hulatt

Crew

Producer & Director - Adrian Ellis with special thanks to Jacquetta Pease

Design - Marc Pearce

Stage Management - Olivia Keetch & Cecilia Coleshaw

Set painting and makeup support - Fleur De Henrie

Costumes - by the cast with support from Su Browne

Set-build - Marc and Adrian with massive support from Paul Tomkinson, Richard Wade and Marios Papadakis

Prompt - Jo Harry

Business Management - Chris Hulatt

Front of House - Members & Friends of St Michael's Players

When Annie's husband, John, dies of Leukaemia she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new sofa to replace the incredibly uncomfortable one she has spent many hours sitting on in the hospital waiting room. They persuade four fellow WI members to pose nude with them for an 'Alternative' calendar, with a little help from a hospital porter and amateur photographer, Lawrence. News of the women's charitable venture spreads like wildfire and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapely in the Yorkshire Dales. The Calendar is a success but Chris and Annie's friendship is put to the test under the strain of their new found fame. Based on the true story of eleven WI members who posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund

Director's note: As my directing debut for St Michael's Players, I just want to add further thanks to the commitment and trust of my amazing cast and crew. This play is a truly BIG ask! Sincerely hope you enjoy this last chance to see Calendar Girls on the amateur stage