Theatre Reviews

CALENDAR GIRLS
Mill at Sonning
11 Apr – 1st June 2024

“When Annie’s husband John dies of leukaemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They manage to persuade four fellow WI members to pose nude with them for an “alternative” calendar, with a little help from hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence. The news of the women’s charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapeley 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 11 WI members who posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund, Calendar Girls opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre and has since become the fastest-selling play in British theatre history”

Review by Richard Lambert, 4 Stars

In a very British, saucy postcard sort of way, Calendar Girls takes a group of rather conservative WI members and gets them to pose for a calendar to raise money for charity. Nothing below the waist, and with carefully placed objects to cover the majority of the chest, you’re all set to go. Bring in a fresh-faced young male photographer and a range of female personalities and this hilarious musical sets sail with gusto.

The book is predictable and set on a true story. You do need to imagine a different time to understand why this was even noteable. The calendar did gain traction and became an international sensation and huge commercial success.

The Mill at Sonning is always exciting to visit. With it’s scrumptious dining before the show and then a no-expense-spared set design, all the stops are pulled out by Sally Hughes and her wonderful team to make this an unforgettable experience. The Set unfolds from an outdoor countryside setting with gated stile into an indoor village hall where the WI meetings are held. Edging this remarkable set is larger than life prints of calendar months and across the proscenium header is the months in Titles – each highlighted by lighting to indicate what month we’re in.

This is a large cast – larger than most West End shows these days, with many of the cast being TV and theatrical “names”.

Technically the show is fairly simple with extended scene changes done in low lighting, supervised by an on-stage stage manager with a wireless headset.

All in all, good harmless fun that all the family can enjoy.

Photo credit: Andreas Lambis