AMATEUR THEATRE REVIEW: Calendar Girls - The Garrick Playhouse, Altrincham, Greater Manchester.

'Calendar Girls', has become a firm favourite for companies up and down the country, as this Tim Firth / Gary Barlow collaboration is a very British Musical, celebrating the grit of the Yorkshire Lass, the sense of community; and is a beautifully written rollercoaster-ride of emotions taking us through love, loss, parents. children, families, and of course, how we all cope with whatever life deals us. Wholesome and poignant.

In this instance, the musical centres around Chris (Dawn Flint), and her quest to provide a settee for the hospital where the husband of her best friend, Annie (Sarah Kirk), died of cancer. To do this, she enlists the help of her fellow WI chums, and instead of the usual annual choice of images for their next calendar, [local churches being a favourite!], they allow themselves to be tastefully photographed naked around the accoutrements for which the WI is well known. It's a very real story, and the photographs and calendar "went viral" before that phrase was even a thing! As we see these women together and their relationships, not only with themselves but with their husbands, their children, and the wider community in general, the musical takes on a very tangible and close-to-home touch which even some plays on similar subjects fail to capture. You simply cannot help becoming emotionally involved in this show.

Altrincham Garrick's current production was showing a couple of first night wobbles this evening, but that is totally understandable and forgivable; but once the cast got into their stride, especially during the second act, the characters became more solid and the show lifted measurably. What was abundantly clear though was that everyone on stage was fully committed to the show and their roles within it, giving their absolute alls throughout. In fact the emotion from the protagonists was so raw this evening that it got in the way of their singing. 

Directed by Joseph Meighan, the storyline was signposted excellently - even down to the visual detail of John's deterioration. And the bare-bottomed 'tea' and 'coffee' was a superb "gag" which was not out of place at all, in fact, was excellently observed and extremely funny. Under Mark Goggins's musical direction, the band was excellent, just a little too overpowering at times, when underscoring dialogue. Costuming (especially the final scene) was very good, as was the use of props and the lighting design. The ensemble was nicely arranged and their choral singing was delightful.

In one sense, the show belongs to those who are brave enough to bare - for without it, there would be no show. It can be seen as female empowerment, showing us that all bodies are beautiful and deserve respect; but that would be putting a too modern twist onto the story which wasn't there in the first place. This was for John, to raise money for cancer, and to give something back to their community - to fight for what they believed in. Meighan had assembled a company of protagonists who were all talented actors / actresses, and a credit to the company and the Garrick. I cannot mention them all, as this musical has a large cast; but perhaps I could make special mention that I really enjoyed Celia's (Annabelle Fox) interpretation of 'I've Had A Little Work Done', and Chris's (Dawn Flint) rendition of 'Sunflower' - indeed her whole characterisation. But they were simply two seeds in a whole and very complete sunflower!

Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 20.6.22