A true Yorkshire story is baring all at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre this week – as the York Musical Theatre Company present Calendar Girls The Musical.
Calendar Girls is a musical by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth, based on the 2003 film Calendar Girls, which is itself based on a true story – and a very Yorkshire story it is at that.
It always feels special to see a show set in Yorkshire while being in Yorkshire, and York Musical Theatre Company deliver this sweet, funny, and heartwarming show with as much Yorkshire spirit as you would hope.
Calendar Girls The Musical is set in the fictional village of Knapely, and follows a group of women in the WI. When member Annie’s husband, John, dies from leukemia, her best friend Chris has the idea of raising money to buy a new sofa for the hospital in John’s memory by creating a nude calendar.
It was wonderful to see Katie Melia and Alexa Chaplin reunited on stage, after shining together in Disenchanted last year, and the bond they bring to lifelong friends Chris and Annie feels lived-in and genuine.
Katie Melia is always a delight to watch, and her performance as headstrong and outspoken Chris is wonderful with plenty of hidden depths. Her voice soars beautifully in the song ‘Sunflower’ and she portrays Chris’ more vulnerable moments with keen sensitivity.
Opposite her, Alexa Chaplin brings a steel and softness to Annie that grounds her in reality, and the grief she displays is heartbreaking to watch. Chaplin is a master at storytelling-through-song and this was most felt during the beautiful ‘Kilimanjaro’.
This is an ensemble show though, and every person stood out on that stage. Amy Greene as Cora led the cast in the extremely fun ‘Who Wants A Silent Night?’ with raucous energy, and Sarah Brown as Celia brought the house down in ‘So I’ve Had a Little Work Done’. Sandy Nicholson as Jessie is exactly the woman I hope I grow up to be, and her song ‘What Age Expects’ could be an anthem for us all.
The three young people in the cast – James Hepworth as Danny, Eve Clark as Jenny, and Frankie Jackson as Tommo – were also a highlight; the future of theatre in York looks very bright with these three! Hepworth’s Danny and Jackson’s Tommo had believable boisterous rapport together, and the blossoming relationship between Danny and Jenny is sweetly endearing.
After hearing Eve Clark’s beautiful voice as Sister May Robert in Sister Act last year, it’s wonderful to hear her again and in a role that further showcases her range, and James Hepworth’s rendition of ‘Hello Yorkshire I’m A Virgin’ is a comedic triumph.
When the cast came together to sing together in harmony in group numbers like ‘Yorkshire’ and ‘Dare’, it felt like pure magic was happening on stage.
The premise of Calendar Girls is, of course, the creation of a nude calendar. I can’t overstate how joyful, life-affirming, and honestly emotional, the photoshoot scene was – bravo for the bravery of the cast, and I hope the loud cheers each character received continue for the rest of the run.
The simple and stripped-back set I felt worked particularly well for this production, and there were just the right amount of props to achieve an understanding of each scene. The band, led enthusiastically by musical director John Atkin, are fantastic. There were some unfortunate distracting sound and mic issues, but the cast should be applauded for carrying on valiantly without so much as a flinch.
Calendar Girls is a musical that starts with a death, but it’s truly all about life, the highs, the lows, the richness of it, and every chaotic and unexpected moment – it’s all packed into this show.
By the end, it feels sad to be leaving these characters and village we feel like we know. But judging by the audience response – which included a standing ovation from the Lord Mayor – you’ll want to come back soon.
Calendar Girls The Musical is at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre until Saturday 23 May. Tickets are £24 and available via the theatre website.
