The Story …. So Far !!
Tim Firth’s stage adaptation of his hit 2003 movie “Calendar Girls” opened in Chichester Festival Theatre last year, has completed a hugely successful regional tour of the UK, opened in the West End at the Noel Coward Theatre, completed its first three month season there and is now embarking on its second season with a complete change of cast. The only constants have been the ecstatic and often hilarious audience reactions and the sound of the Box Office cash register.
“Calendar Girls” is based on the true story of a group of very ordinary women – members of a Yorkshire Womens’ Institute – who decide to do something extraordinary, pose for a Womens; Institute calendar to raise money for the local hospital.
“At first glance it should look like your classic WI Calendar. Jams, cakes, sewing and all that. Except for one tiny thing …. The ladies are all nude”.
The women persuade one another to pose for a charity calendar with a difference. Overcoming their initial reserve, the friends drop their dressing gowns but maintain their modesty with artful and strategic placements of iced cakes, tea pots , knitting and floral arrangements, Puzzling their husbands, mortifying their children, incurring the wrath of the outraged Womens’ Institute, they spark a global phenomenon. As interest in their exploit rises, the Calendar Girls find they are revealing more of themselves than they had ever planned.
Australia’s leading impresario, John Frost, saw the play recently in a regional venue and immediately contacted the UK Producers, David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers, with whom he had collaborated ten years ago for an Australian season of “ART” starring Tom Conte, Geoff Morrell and David Wenham.
“This is an extremely funny piece with a very touching story that will have audiences reaching for the tissues to wipe away both tears of sadness and laughter” he said. “It’s also an opportunity to present some of the best female actors in this country in roles that are scarce at a certain age. It’s a feel good family show that will delight everyone who sees it.”
The production will be directed in Australia by Psyche Scott based on the original London Production, directed by Olivier Award winner Hamish McColl, well known as both performer and playwright – “The Play What I Wrote”.
The Australian production of “Calendar Girls” will feature some of the best known stars of Stage and Television, including – Lorraine Bayly, Rachel Berger, Rhonda Burchmore, Cornelia Frances, Jean Kittson, Anna Lee and Amanda Muggleton.