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Noel Coward Theatre St Martin's Lane WC2N 4AH |
Calendar
Girls |
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Map ©Silvermaze Ltd
2008 |
Photo by kind permission Tony
Reading
2009 |
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Background The public always respond well to outrageous courage for a good cause and this is no exception. To get a taste of REAL Brit humour at its best this play we must me see. It s a great comedy with serious undercurrents and addresses many people based issues including a real human response to a tragedy within a community. The actors are nearly all middle aged and Sarah Bird picked the players for their reality and amazing skill to feel and put over feelings common to us all. There's not a can of sentimentality in any of their handbags. Sarah is a star - they are all stars. It's the charisma, the humour and the tenderness that brings crowds - the bare faced - and the rest - fun is cool too. It's funny - very. Calendar Girls is a true story of a group of village ladies in the WI who made history by demonstrating what British Women (where else?) can do. As with 'The Full Monty''s fame which came as a surprise to the men, (who stripped off) it was an eye opener to the middle aged ladies – that taking off their clothes would bring such success. It even made Camila join her local WI - the royally patronised institution. The Womens' Institute (WI) is one of the earliest networks for women to get together to do traditional things of interest to women. Stripping has never been on the agenda. The WI started during the 'great' war in 1915 to encourage rural women to grow food - since when it has become stereotyped with cake baking competitions in country fairs with a membership of nearly a quarter of a million. It was the WI of a little village in North England (Yorkshire) where the history began. When fame came to the stars of the village, in reality, a film was made called Calendar girls which was a great success and won the hearts of millions of people. Now as a play in the West End it promises to outsell and outrun many other plays present and future. Already a success it boasts a fastest-selling-ever tour. – So that's it really. You can book here - no hype needed - it's the best. Story It's more of a theme than a story which will enthrall you all the more as it unfolds all by itself – then and there – when you see and feel what's going on. Any prethoughts you may get from a boring description of a great work can subtly change the perception. Suffice it to say, people are checking their diaries on this one right now. Cast • Lynda Bellingham - Chris • Patricia Hodge - Annie • Siån Phillips - jessie • Gaynor Faye - Celia • Brigit Forsyth - Marie • Gerard McDermott - Rod • Julia Hill - Ruth • Elaine C Smiht - Cora • Joan Blackham - Lady Cravenshire & Brenda Hulse • Gary Lilburn - John • Abby Francis - Elaine • Carl Prekopp - Lawrence & Liam • Director - Hamish McColl • Set design - Robert Jones • Lighting - Malcolm Rippeth • Music - Steve Parry • Sound - John Leonard • Writer - Tim Firth • Casting Director - Sarah Bird • Producers - David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers |
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