Calendar Girls The Musical in London – UK Tour Review

I was invited to the press night of ‘Calendar Girls The Musical’ at London’s New Wimbledon Theatre. Currently on its UK Tour, showing at New Wimbledon Theatre in London until 4th November 2023, before continuing its tour into 2024. This brand-new production of the award-winning musical, written by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth, features a re-imagined book and new music. Here is my Calendar Girls The Musical Review:

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So what is Calendar Girls The Musical all about? Find out everything you need to know about the show and it’s UK tour!

The Show:

Calendar Girls The Musical is the heart warming story of an ordinary group of women in a Yorkshire Women’s Institute who are prompted to do an extraordinary thing and set about creating a nude calendar to raise money for charity.

Set in a Yorkshire community hall, the story revolves around this lovable group of women, weary of their monotonous activities like jam-making and cross-stitch. Their motivation to raise funds for the local hospital arises following the death of a much-loved husband. One of the women proposes an audacious idea to create a nude calendar to replace their usual mundane one filled with pictures of churches and teapots. This suggestion isn’t well-received by everyone and the plot explores who among them will have the courage to join in. Calendar Girls The Musical delves into the poignant themes of cancer and aging, featuring a talented and star-studded cast that can melt the iciest of hearts. The music by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth is super fun and plays a significant role in narrating the story.

The scene photographing the nude calendar was really cleverly done and very funny. There are so many warm, emotional and funny moments throughout the show, I found this such an enjoyable experience.

Credit Alex Harvey-Brown

The Characters

The cast of Calendar Girls The Musical boasts a star-studded line up. Featuring: – Tanya Franks (EastEnders), Maureen Nolan (The Nolans), Lyn Paul (The New Seekers), Amy Robbins (Coronation Street), Paula Tappenden (Theatre Star), Marti Webb (Tell Me on a Sunday) and Honeysuckle Weeks (Foyles War).

Each member of the main cast delivers a solo performance, with some standout acts. I particularly loved Lyn Paul’s rendition of ‘What Age Expects’ and Maureen Nolan’s ‘My Russian Friend and I’.

I have to give a shout out to Amy Robbins. In her role as Chris, she adds a touch of daring and humour to the Women’s Institute group. She was so much fun to watch and delivers many of the witty one-liners and a few expletives. I loved her character!

My thoughts on the show

Leaving the theatre, I felt truly uplifted after watching “Calendar Girls the Musical”. It is an easy-to-watch production with a brilliant storyline, plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and heart warming performances by a stellar cast. It’s impossible not to love this show! It received a well deserved standing ovation. This show left me feeling all warm inside and I’d definite recommend adding it to your watch list!

Credit Alex Harvey-Brown

Meet The Cast & Team

• TANYA FRANKS – Annie
• MAUREEN NOLAN – Ruth
• LYN PAUL – Jessie
• AMY ROBBINS – Chris
• PAULA TAPPENDEN – Marie
• MARTI WEBB – Celia
• HONEYSUCKLE WEEKS – Cora
• COLIN R CAMPBELL – John
• GRAHAM MACDUFF – Rod
• JAYNE ASHLEY – Ensemble
• LIZ CARNEY – Ensemble
• VICTORIA HAY – Ensemble
• ANDREW TUTON – Ensemble

Everything you need to know to book tickets for Calendar Girls The Musical:

Calendar Girls the Musical UK Tour show dates and to book:

• 31 October – 4 November – WIMBLEDON Wimbledon New Theatre BOOK ONLINE
• 07 November – 11 November – LEEDS Leeds Grand Theatre BOOK ONLINE
• 14 November – 18 November – STOKE-ON-TRENT Regent Theatre BOOK ONLINE
• 21 November – 25 November – DARLINGTON Darlington Hippodrome BOOK ONLINE
• 28 November – 02 December – HULL Hull New Theatre BOOK ONLINE
• 06 February – 10 February 2024 – YORK – BOOK LINE
• 20 February – 24 February 2024 – GLASGOW – BOOK LINE
• 19 March – 23 March 2024 – AYLESBURY – BOOK LINE
• 26 March – 30 March 2024 – WOKING – BOOK LINE

What is the expected running time?

Approx 2 hour 20 including interval.

Age Guidance:

13+

Warnings:

Please note that this production contains strong language, use of haze, flashes, flashing lights and semi-nudity.

Enjoyed this review? Check our review of Shrek the Musical.

I was invited to the press night of Calendar Girls The Musical but all thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

Thank you for reading ‘Calendar Girls the Musical London – UK Tour Review’.