# Calendar Girls (musical)

Calendar Girls The Musical (previously titled The Girls) is a musical by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth, based on the 2003 film Calendar Girls, which is in turn based on a true story, and the original 2008 play adaptation by Firth.

## Synopsis

Annie's husband John dies from leukaemia at an early age. Her close friend, Chris, wants to purchase a comfortable sofa for the visitors' lounge in the hospital where John was treated. She hits upon the idea of printing a calendar featuring some of the members of the Knapely branch of the Women's Institute, discreetly posing nude while engaged in traditional WI activities, such as baking and knitting, in order to raise funds. Her proposal is initially met with great scepticism, but she eventually convinces ten women to participate in the project with her. They enlist one of the hospital workers, an amateur photographer named Lawrence, to help them with the calendar.

## Background

The musical is based on the 2003 film Calendar Girls. The film itself was produced on a budget of $10 million, earning over $96 million in global box office receipts. A stage play adaptation was launched in 2008 at the Chichester Festival Theatre, before embarking on a national tour and transferring to the West End's Noël Coward Theatre in 2009.

## Production history
### World premiere: Leeds and Salford (2015–2016)

The musical originally made its world premiere under its original title The Girls at the Grand Theatre, Leeds running from 14 November to 12 December 2015, followed by a transfer to The Lowry, Salford from 13 to 30 January 2016. The production was directed by Roger Haines and Tim Firth.

### West End (2017)

Following the Leeds and Salford tryouts, the production transferred to London's West End at the Phoenix Theatre with an official opening night on 21 February 2017, with previews from 28 January 2017. The production was directed by Tim Firth, with sets and costume design by Rob Jones, lighting by Tim Lutkin, musical staging by Lizzi Gee, comedy staging by Jos Houben, sound design by Terry Jardine and Nick Lidster for Autograph Design, assistant direction by Jack Ryder and James Robert Moore and projection design by Alex Uragllo, The production closed on 15 July 2017.

### UK and Ireland tours
#### Original UK and Ireland tour (2018-19)

In 2017 it was announced that the musical would embark a UK tour under a new title; Calendar Girls The Musical. The tour opened on 16 August 2018 with a return visit to the Grand Theatre, Leeds and toured for 15 months until 23 November 2019, ending at the Chichester Festival Theatre (the originating theatre of the original play adaptation).

##### UK tour (2023-24)

A new production, with revised score and book and produced by Bill Kenwright, is to begin a UK tour at the Theatre Royal, Windsor in August 2023. The cast includes Tayna Franks, Maureen Nolan, Lyn Paul, Amy Robbins, Paula Tappenden, Marti Webb and Honeysuckle Weeks.

## Musical numbers

The London Cast Recording was released on 9 March 2018.

## Cast and characters

| Character | Leeds and Salford | West End | UK tour | UK tour |
| | 2015 | 2017 | 2018 | 2023 |
| Annie | Joanna Riding | Joanna Riding | Anna-Jane Casey Sarah Jane Buckley | Tanya Franks Laurie Brett |
| Chris | Claire Moore | Claire Moore | Rebecca Storm | Amy Robbins Samantha Seager |
| Cora | Claire Machin | Claire Machin | Karen Dunbar Lorraine Bruce Sue Devaney | Honeysuckle Weeks |
| Celia | Vivien Parry | Sophie-Louise Dann | Denise Welch Lisa Maxwell | Marti Webb Helen Pearson |
| Jessie | Sarah Kestelman | Michele Dotrice | Ruth Madoc Lesley Joseph | Lyn Paul |
| Ruth | Debbie Chazen | Debbie Chazen | Sara Crowe Julia Hills | Maureen Nolan |
| Marie | Harriet Thorpe | Marian McLoughlin | Fern Britton Judy Holt | Paula Tappenden Liz Carney |
| John | James Gaddas | James Gaddas | Phil Corbitt | Colin R Campbell |
| Rod | Joe Caffrey | Joe Caffrey | Ian Mercer | |
| Dennis | Jeremy Clyde | Jeremy Clyde | Alan Stocks | |
| Doctor | John Davitt | John Davitt | | |
| Brenda | Susan Fay | Soo Drouet | | |
| Miss Wilson (coffee) | Karen West | Jenny Gayner | Ellie Leah | |
| Miss Wilson (tea) | Shirley Jameson | Shirley Jameson | Catherine Digges | |
| Lawrence | Steve Giles | Steve Giles | | |
| Colin | Stephen Boswell | Maxwell Hutcheon | Sebastian Aberneri | |
| Lady Cravenshire | Judith Street | Judith Street | Pauline Daniels | |
| Tommo | Josh Benson | Josh Benson | Tyler Dobbs | |
| Danny | Ben Hunter | Ben Hunter | Danny Howker | |
| Jenny | Chloe May Jackson | Chloe May Jackson | Isabel Caswell | |
| Ensemble | David Breeds Sarah Day | Frazer Hadfield Jane Lambert Rebecca Louis | | |
| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2017 | WhatsOnStage Awards | Best Regional Production | Best Regional Production | Won |
| 2017 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best New Musical | Best New Musical | Nominated |
| 2017 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best Actress in a Musical | "The Girls" - Debbie Chazen, Sophie-Louise Dann, Michele Dotrice, Claire Machin, Claire Moore and Joanna Riding | Nominated |
| 2017 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Ben Hunter | Nominated |