Calendar Girls
Sponsored by Hilton Double Tree, Chester http://www.doubletreechester.co.uk

Venue: The Forum Studio Theatre

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 Women's Institute members, Cora, Celia, Ruth and Jessie, 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 eleven 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.

"It's marvellous theatre, guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and come out singing Jerusalem." Mail on Sunday

"Dazzlingly funny, shamelessly sentimental and utterly captivating. The mingling of pathos and comedy here is simply unbeatable." Lloyd Evans, Spectator

"Raucous fun! Well worth a date in your calendar." Patrick Marmion, Daily Mail

Cast

Cora - Joanne Lloyd
Chris - Sally Dillon
Annie - Del Underwood
Jessie - Chris Dukes
Celia - Maureen Tolefree
Ruth - Rachel Sumner
Marie - Gail Young
Brenda - Fiona Grant
John - Rob Tolefree
Rod - Neil Mason
Lady Cravenshire - Judi Potter
Lawrence - David Dyke
Elaine - Kate Knight
Liam - Jamie Ablett

Production team

Director - Simon Phillips
Production Manager - Brian Fray
Production Assistant & DSM - Janice Craine
Lighting - Ian Jones
Props - Sheila Roberts & Muriel Jennings

Images

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