Since the end of the pandemic, we’ve been keeping a very close eye on Calendar Girls’ availability, and, using Concord Theatrical’s licence notification function, we finally got an email saying that the rights had become available. To say I jumped at the chance would be a minor understatement.

We planned to open the season with it last September when along came another delay. Welwyn Thalians were putting on their fabulous musical version in October (I was really trying not to hold Gary Barlow directly responsible for this constant thwarping but it was getting harder (joking – Take That forever!)) and so we had to reschedule for this May.

Calendar Girls is an inspiring story on so many levels and not just because it raised over five 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 (remember those horrific low-rise jeans that only just covered your hoo-ha!). 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 (if you’ve not seen the 2023 Young Farmers calendar raising money for testicular cancer, I’d recommend it…).

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

It would be easy to fall into the trap of attempting to imitate the spectacular performances of the brilliant British actresses in the film, such as Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton and Helen Mirren, but my fabulous cast have truly made it their own, and every rehearsal I see a something different that they’ve brought to the table.

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 think I have a wonderfully strong cast. There are a few new faces as well as familiar ones, and some who haven’t been seen treading the Barn boards in a while.

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 Sharon).

During productions of Calendar Girls, it’s become somewhat of a tradition to have a charity night, but we’re going one further and having two on 3rd and 4th May. As well as raising money for Blood Cancer UK it just seems right to support the Jessica Brady CEDAR trust. Jess, who along with her mum Andrea, was a member of our Barn family, sadly died from cancer in 2021 aged 27, and her family have set up a charity in her honour for Cancer Early Diagnosis, Awareness & Research (CEDAR). I feel that this is something the original calendar girls would have approved of. 

Calendar Girls runs from 3rd to 13th May with a matinee on the 13th. I’d get your tickets early… we already have a couple of local WI groups booked in to see the show, so there is pressure to really do Jerusalem justice. On the first Saturday we’ll be competing with King Charles’ Coronation but hopefully our assets will be more regally appealing!

Some info from Blood Cancer UK:

Blood Cancer UK are a community that are dedicated to beating blood cancer. We do this by funding research and supporting those affected. Since 1960, we’ve invested over £500 million in research that has transformed treatments and saved lives. As well as looking for a cure in the future, we’re here for everyone affected by blood cancer when they need us. Whether on the phone or online we offer health information people can trust, in a language they can understand. 

Each year 40,000 people are diagnosed with blood cancer in the UK, and it’s still the UK’s third biggest cancer killer, however the day we will beat blood cancer is now in sight and our researchers are determined to beat it.

One of our most celebrated fundraising campaigns has been the Calendar Girls. Angela Knowles’s husband, John, died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1998 and Angela and fellow members of the Women’s Institute created a naked calendar to raise money for research.

They initially hoped to raise enough for a new sofa for the hospital where John was treated, but the calendar captured people’s imagination right across the world. The Calendar Girls have raised almost £6 million, and their story has inspired a hit Hollywood film and a West End musical written by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth. Angela is now one of our Honorary Presidents and received an MBE in 2019.

Some info from Andrea Brady about the Jessica Brady CEDAR Trust:

“We’re so grateful to Hannah and the whole team involved with Calendar Girls for supporting our fundraising in memory of our lovely Jess. Our charity, Jessica Brady CEDAR Trust (jessicabradycedartrust.org.uk) has been set up to raise much needed funds to support earlier cancer diagnosis within primary care. Currently only 54% of cancers are diagnosed at stage 1 and 2. It’s imperative this improves. According to CRUK, if bowel cancer is diagnosed at Stage 1, there’s 90% chance of survival, for five years or more following diagnosis: if diagnosed at Stage 4, this is reduced to 10%. The weight of responsibility in achieving earlier diagnosis lies in the hands of general practice doctors. This is why Jessica’s Trust will focus their fundraising upon developing awareness and improving earlier diagnosis within GP surgeries. Our aim is to support GPs by providing cancer awareness training to help improve survival rates for all, regardless of age, race, or gender. 

“This charity is also closely affiliated to our ongoing work with Jessica’s petition ‘Improve the awareness and diagnosis of cancer in young adults’ (chng.it/xZb6yGWzSj). The petition has nearly 300,000 supporters. We’re working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care to help bring about positive change for the future. 

Thank you so much your support.