Calendar Girls – Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Writer: Tim Firth
Director: Jack Ryder
Reviewer: Victoria Bawtree
The Public Reviews Rating: 
Canterbury’s Marlowe was positively buzzing before this opening night, sell-out performance of Calendar Girls on its final national tour. The women of the audience significantly outweighed the men, but chaps, do not let that put you off. This is a production that is laugh-out-loud funny, as well as poignant, touching and heart-breaking at the same time. Thanks to the global success of the Miramax film of the same name, the subject matter of the unofficial WI ‘nude’ calendar, created in memory of John, who tragically died of lymphoma in 1998, is surely familiar to most. The stage production is based on the story as portrayed in the film, although there are some notable changes, not least that we get to know John (Joe McGann) as he learns of his diagnosis in the Autumn; lives with his continuing treatment over Christmas, and passes away in the Spring. Although all too brief, his presence allows the audience to sympathise whole-heartedly with him and his wife Annie (Jan Harvey), bringing dignity and the spirit of human kindness, at the heart of this story, to the fore.
This is a strong cast, making it almost impossible to highlight some over others. McGann and Harvey as John and Annie are utterly believable as they face their last few months together. And Lynda Bellingham as Chris, the main protagonist of the calendar project, is fun, feisty and a true best-friend in equal measure. The eclectic mix of WI ladies is brought to life by Deena Payne as Cora, June Watson as Jessie, Sue Holderness as Celia, and Lisa Riley as Ruth. Watson is hilarious as the retired teacher with a wicked sense of humour, and Riley takes her character on a memorable journey, during which (with a little help from Dutch courage along the way) she picks herself up from the shy, down-trodden girlfriend of Eddie, to a confident and happy woman in her own right. Ruth Madoc is enjoyable as Napley’s well-to-do WI leader, Marie, and there are some fun cameos from Kevin Sacre as the suitably flustered but passionately artistic photographer Lawrence, and from Camilla Dallerup as Elaine, the beautician who is firmly put back in her place by Riley as Ruth.
While I still can’t quite bring myself to investigate the WI, I am completely convinced that it’s not all “Jam and Jerusalem” – although I would love to know if there really is a red buzzer when one seeks council approval at national conference…. The official website states that this is the last ever professional tour, and for one who has only just managed to see it, that seems a crying shame! Go and see it to experience the strength of human camaraderie in the face of adversity, and enjoy a plethora of laughs along the way.
Runs until Saturday 18 February
Tags: Calendar Girls, Canterbury, Deena Payne, Jack Ryder, Jan Harvey, Joe McGann, June Watson, Lisa Riley, Lynda Bellingham, Marlowe Theatre, Ruth Madoc, Sue Holderness, Tim Firth, WI
