Based on the true story of a group of WI members who posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund, Calendar Girls opens in Welwyn Garden City next month.

Hot on the heels of Alys, Always comes the Barn Theatre’s next production.

Calendar Girls is a play that doesn’t really need any introduction as the central story has woven itself into national folklore.

It has been made into a feature film starring Helen Mirren, Julie Walters, Annette Crosbie, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton and Geraldine James, and, more recently, a musical with lyrics by Take That's Gary Barlow.

It has served as an inspiration to women and charity organisations throughout the country, and has spawned a number of imitations, from farmers to firemen and other such ‘alternatives’, all raising monies for great causes.

 

Read more

 

And so, from May 3 to May 13, the Barn will be presenting a production of the stage play Calendar Girls.

The first two performances - on Wednesday, May 3 and Thursday, May 4 - will be raising money for Blood Cancer UK and the Jessica Brady CEDAR Trust (Cancer, Early Diagnosis, Awareness, Research) respectively, before the girls strut their stuff for another nine performances.

For those unaware of the inspirational Calendar Girls story, it is based on the true story of 11 fearless WI members who posed naked for a charity calendar, kicking off a trend that’s raised millions for countless organisations since.

Director Hannah Sayer is clearly full of awe for this story and its legacy.

“Calendar Girls is an inspiring story on so many levels and not just because it raised over £5 million pounds for cancer charities, which in itself is amazing; but because of the bravery of the women, most of whom are ‘of a certain age’, against all the expectations of 90s and early 00s media and the ‘Barbie’ image it promoted.

"These Yorkshire women showed enormous courage in baring their bodies, every beautiful roll, wrinkle and stretch mark, showing that women are beautiful no matter what age / size / shape you are – with the calendar going on to sell 88,000 copies in 1999 in the UK alone, you can’t deny that people agreed.”

And nearly 24 years later their legacy lives on with many people, both men and women, still copying the idea and fundraising this way.

The play, by Tim Firth, who wrote the original film script with Juliette Towhidi, is really funny and heart-breaking at the same time. It features dramatic highs and lows but will hopefully leave you feeling uplifted by the end.

Hannah continued: “I was surprised and so very flattered that so many wonderful women auditioned, and I could easily have cast it twice over.

"It was so tough making final decisions – these things are never easy – but I have a wonderfully strong cast.

"We also have an all-female crew, including for lighting and sound operating, which may be a first for the Barn.

"My terrific ladies have put a lot of faith in me to protect their modesty as much as possible. What I’m asking them to do is terrifying and makes you feel so vulnerable, so I’ve tried to do what I can to make them feel as comfortable as possible.

"It’s a logistical headache though to keep the audience’s eyes where you want them, with strategically placed props and light reflectors.

"There may or may not be real vodka on stage – I couldn’t possibly comment on that – just don’t tell the stage manager!”

Calendar Girls runs at the Barn Theatre, on Handside Lane, from Wednesday, May 3 to Saturday, May 13 at 8pm, with a matinee on the 13th. Tickets are available from the Barn Theatre box office at www.barntheatre.co.uk

                                                                                                                                

Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox every week by signing up to the Welwyn Hatfield Times In Brief newsletter.