PL wrote: “Although, like almost everyone else, I had seen the film of Calendar Girls, I had not seen the play and was sceptical about how successful a transfer to the stage would be.
I then discovered how beautifully written it was and have been fortunate in assembling a talented cast and brilliant creative team.
Over the past weeks of rehearsal, I have fallen in love with the Calendar Girls and their story: I hope you do to.”
Publicity #1: Calendar Girls
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: September 20 2012 issue – page 12
Correspondent: Amanda Barrell
Text Header: WI to show their naked ambition
Text: Content
JAM and Jerusalem with something of an edge will take to the stage next week.
The Wick Theatre Company’s latest production, Calendar Girls, will open at the Barn Theatre, Southwick Street, Southwick, on Wednesday.
Speaking on behalf of the company, Anna Quick said: “Directed by Pat Lyne, Calendar Girls is the story of a group of extraordinary women, members of a very ordinary Yorkshire WI.
The group persuaded one another to pose for a charity calendar with a difference – no more photos of Wharfedale Bridges or Norman churches for them. Overcoming their initial reserve, the friends drop their dressing gowns, modestly spared only by artfully placed cakes, knitting and flower arrangements.”
The news of the women’s charitable venture spreads like wildfire, added Anna, and sparks a global phenomenon.
“But as media interest snowballs, the Calendar Girls find themselves exposed in ways they’d never expected, revealing more about themselves than they’d ever planned,” said Anna. “A very English story with a very English heart, Calendar Girls is quirky, poignant and hilarious.”
Adapted by Tim Frith from the Miramax film of the same name, Calendar Girls is based on uplifting, inspiring true events.
“Featuring a cast of Wick Theatre Company members both old and new and following on from their award winning production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead in 2011, this is Wick Theatre Company’s entry into the Brighton and Hove Arts Council Awards for 2012,” added Anna.
Hazel Starns, Bob Ryder, Judith Berrill, Katie Brownings, Anna Quick, Claire Wiggins, Sophie Lane, Tom Harris, Diane Robinson, Charlotte Grimes, Maggi Pierce, Sheelagh Baker and David Peaty will star in the production.
Calendar Girls will run from September 26 to 29, with shows starting at 7.45pm. To book, go to www.wicktheatre.co.uk or call 01273597094
Review #1: Calendar Girls
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: October 4 2012 issue – page 26
Reviewer: Amanda Barrell
Text Header: Well worth making a date for Wick’s Calendar Girls
Text: Content
Belly-aching laughter tinged with a tear made for an amazingly entertaining evening. The Wick Theatre Company offered up a near perfect performance of Calendar Girls, at the Barn Theatre, Southwick, last week.
Being familiar with the true story the play is based on, and having seen the blockbuster film, the ladies (and gents) of Wick had a lot to live up to – following Helen Mirren has to be a scary prospect. But the cast, who told the story of a group of WI women who decide to raise money by raising eyebrows, had nothing to worry about. The audience was in stitches from the opening quip.
Charlotte Grimes, as Cora, Katie Brownings as Chris, Hazel Starns as Annie, Sheelagh Baker as Jessie, Judith Berrill as Celia and Claire Wiggins as Ruth worked together wonderfully, bouncing off each other’s jokes, and convincing the sell-out crowd they were indeed a group of very close friends. The on-stage chemistry between Annie and dying husband John (Bob Ryder) was tender, and left in its wake an empty feeling of grief when the latter leaves the stage for the last time.
Clever set work saw a church hall transformed into a sunflower-covered hillside seamlessly, and Misses January, February, March et al were projected, in their calendar poses, at the click of each camera shutter.
Calendar Girls was the company’s entry into the Brighton & Hove Arts Council drama festival, and will find out in December if they have won.
Review #2: Calendar Girls
Publication: Brighton Argus
Publication Data: Unknown
Reviewer: Barrie Jerram
Text: Content
First a film, now a play based on the true story of mature Women’s Institute ladies who produced a cheeky calendar, daringly substituting Yorkshire scenery for themselves unclad – all to raise money for Leukaemia Research following the death of a member’s husband.
It provides an evening of sheer delight – sentimental but never mawkish – with wonderful funny one-liners that instantly break the mood.
Directed by Patricia Lyne is first-class and her staging of the sensitive photography scene is hilarious as it is tasteful. She has assembled a strong cast that includes the welcome return of Katie Brownings to The Barn as Chris, the powerhouse behind the calendar’s success. The scenes between her and hazel Starns, the bereaved Annie, captured both the comedy and the subsequent drama as the pair fall out.
Among the other superb performances there is a gem from Sheelagh Baker as the retired teacher “grown venomous from over-exposure to school-children”. Bob Ryder gently underplays the dying husband, while Claire Wiggins is sheer delight as Ruth.
An innovative touch uses slide projections to suggest outside scenes.
Comment #1: Calendar Girls
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: October 4 2012 issue – page 29
Author: Elaine Hammond
Heading: Performance raises £900
Comment:
A sponsored performance of Calendar Girls by The Wick Theatre Company raised £900 for charity.
Shoreham and Southwick Rotary Club sponsored the matinée performance at The Barn Theatre, Southwick, on September 29, to raise money for the Sussex Cancer Fund and the work it is doing to support the new Sussex Macmillan Cancer Support Centre at the Royal Sussex Hospital, Brighton.
President of the Rotary Club, Peter Matthew, presented the cheque to Kate Mcburney, senior lead radiographer, after the show. The sell-out audience of 150 was then treated to tea and cakes.
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