Make a date with Calendar Girls

CALENDAR GIRLS, Palace Theatre, Manchester
IT was time to whip out the Chelsea buns as the cast of Calendar Girl’ took to the stage in Manchester.

The now-familiar story of Cracoe Women’s Institute (WI) in Skipton raising money from their own Pirelli-style calendar has gone global.

Not only has their inspirational idea raised over £2million to date for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, but it also inspired a feature film in 2003 starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters which was turned into a smash hit West End production and now a nationwide tour.

Taking to the Manchester stage is a cast list of television’s great and good.

Oxo mum and now Loose Woman presenter Lynda Bellingham joins former The Bill actress Trudie Goodwin in the central roles of Annie and Chris, with Bernie Nolan, Jennifer Ellison, Lisa Riley, Gwen Taylor and Ruth Madoc helping to tell the heart-warming tale.

Comedy is key in this production, written by Tim Firth and directed by Roger Haines, with great comic timing from the actors and a sharp script filled with Yorkshire grit.

The classic scene where the WI members disrobe for the calendar pictures is hilariously re-created on stage with strategically placed props, including buns and balls of wool, just about preserving the actors modesty.

Bellingham gives a star turn, funny, engaging and not afraid to whip her bra off first.

Ruth Madoc excels as Marie, the snobby WI leader obsessed with the Cheshire set.

And special mention goes to Gwen Taylor whose superb one-liners and deadpan delivery as former teacher and keen knitter Jessie had the audience in stitches.

The result is like a slice of the WI favourite Victoria Sponge — light, suitably sweet and leaves a satisfied smile on your face.