Calendar Girls - Mandurah

‘Calendar Girls’ was adapted for the stage by Wirral born playwright, Tim Firth. After reading English at Cambridge, Tim went to one of Willy Russell’s Arvon Foundation courses in West Yorkshire. Later he met Alan Ayckbourn and was commissioned to write a play. Unusually, this comedy, stage play ‘Calendar Girls’ was adapted from Juliette Towhidi and Firth’s film script.

This play has been performed from Buenos Aires to Athens. In 2010, Chester University awarded Firth an honorary Doctorate in Literature.

With the photos taken by Terry Logan, a professional photographer married to one of the models, the 2000 WI calendar was released in April 1999. By Christmas, it had sold 88,000 copies. The following year the American version sold 202,000 copies.

The proceeds were used to fund new laboratories in Leeds University, specifically for lymphoma and leukaemia research.

This production is at John Tonkin College (formerly Mandurah Senior College), Education Drive, Mandurah (next to Peel TAFE). The performances are on Fridays and Saturdays until 13^th October. Evening shows commence at 8.00 pm plus a Saturday Matinee at 2.00 pm.

            It is evening in the Yorkshire Dales. In Knapely church hall, the ladies of the Women’s Institute have finished singing ‘Jerusalem’, the organisation’s anthem, and are starting yet another Tai Chi class under the supervision of Chris (Diana Oliver). As they are waiting for Brenda (Joanne Hillbrick), another boring guest speaker organised by pedantic Marie (Rebecca Wright) to arrive, Annie (Judi Johnson) is updating her friends with the progress of John (Michal Caldwell), her 54-year-old husband’s blood checks and scans.

          The visits to the hospital involve long periods sitting on plastic chairs, so Chris and her husband, Rod (Thomas Hennessy), suggest that they raise money for a settee. Marie is keen to have a change from the usual plum jam and sponge cake competition, with the same old judge – the uppity Lady Cravenshire (Amy Honor Elliott) - and have a beautiful calendar with photos of Wharfedale bridges. Chris utters ‘Boring’ and suggests a calendar of photos produced by, and of, the girls of their Chapter. 

          Beautiful Celia (Kristie Evans) is keen on the calendar idea, as is their older member Jessie (Beryl Francis) and even the fuller-figured, Ruth (Monique Kinnest). However, it was not until they explained to the vicar’s daughter, Cora (Tracey Bolton) that they meant nude photos that the panic started. Ruth said she had misunderstood and refused to strip.

        Annie found that one of the hospital porters, Lawrence (Sam Chadwick), was a keen and capable photographer so he was ‘volunteered’. Ruth found a professional makeup girl, Elaine (Megan Hinkley) who was known for her generous free help.

       To their horror another photographer, Liam (Matt Sheehy) arrived to take promotional pictures. Then the girls had to face the National Conference of this staid organisation and put forward their case.

In fairness to the Women’s Institute in the UK, the powers that be were most supportive of the calendar, but why let the facts get in the way of a good story? As a result of the UK calendar, $3 million has now been raised for Leukaemia Research.

A great deal of kudos must be given to the cast, many of whom have little stage experience and will admit to being slightly past their prime. Possibly even more courage and pluck than the original calendar ladies that they are representing, as this wonderful group were in public view, without the chance to be ‘retouched’ – I am sure there must be a better expression.

Watching a self-conscious, nude actor / actress struggling with their part (this is getting worse!) can be most embarrassing for the audience, who can be made to feel like voyeurs in a strip joint. This cast has a perfectly wonderful, ‘To Hell with it’ attitude, and kept the laughs rolling along. There may have been the odd quick flash, but this was the type of show that your granny would enjoy – let us face it, there is a grandmother in the cast – and that you may not be embarrassed to watch with your children. Incidentally, I was one of the only 10% males in the audience, far below the normal 40%.

Director, Karen Francis, whose Stray Cats Theatre Company productions at the Koorliny Arts Centre are legendary for quality and the courage to try something adventurous, has been fully trusted by her cast for her judgement on what will be daring without blatant. Many congratulations for your courage and fun.

This new ‘Mandurah Little Theatre’ has good-tiered seating, with clear view of the wide stage. The set (designed by Karen Francis, built by Michael Caldwell) was true to a typical village church hall. Tate Bennett designed and operated the lighting that had a few very slow fades, beautifully operated, to set the serious scenes. The costumes had to be bright, fun and inventive, Diana Oliver has produced some real beauties.

The directing of Karen Francis was inventive and punchy. There were a couple of very moving scenes with the perfect choice of background music (the Celtic Woman’s version of ‘You raise me up’). The pace was a little slow in places, but despite the stage managers (Amy Honor Elliott and Pauline Lawrence) being quick and effective, the numerous costume changes slowed the pace even more. Sadly, one of the audience members collapsed and required an ambulance. The director was most impressive in her handling of the situation. A twenty-minute break resulted. The performance recommenced and the cast were to be congratulated in rapidly getting back into the flow of the show.

This production had their very own calendar with stunning photos taken and produced by Kristie Evans, one version was as the programme, the other a full A3 full colour calendar.

This production was filled with humour, sadness, fun and courage. This season is almost sold out, but if you can get a ticket – grab it.