Local Edinburgh theatre group, Blackout Productions, is bringing the UK’s fastest selling play, Calendar Girls, to Morningside’s Churchill Theatre, from 9 – 12 November.
The director James Dickson has worked with an outstanding female cast to deliver a joyous experience that takes the audience on a journey of loss, laughs and losing your inhibitions.
Tim Firth’s hilarious play is based on the true story of eleven W.I. members who famously posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund in 1999.
He said: “This isn’t a play about nudity. This is a play the showcases female friendships in the face of the everyday and human loss. This is about testing friendships and triumphing through adversity.”
Scott Anderson, founder of Blackout Productions said:”The arts are available all year round in Edinburgh, we don’t have to rely on the festivals We really hope the public come out to support these ladies, local theatre and our fantastic charities.”
When Annie’s husband John dies of leukaemia, she and her long-standing best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They manage to persuade four members of the Women’s Institute (W.I.) to pose nude with them for an “alternative” calendar, with a little help from hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence, who looked after John in his final days. This is much to the horror of the their local W.I. chairman, Marie.
The success of the calendar goes beyond their wildest dreams and they have soon raised the money needed and much more. Their efforts also catch the attention of the national and international press, who soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales. Although the calendar is a huge success, Chris and Annie’s friendship is put to the test with their new-found fame and Chris is forced to question her real motivation behind doing the calendar.
Cast
Chris – Samantha Lea Annie – Lesley Ward Jessie – Elaine Clark Ruth – Judith Walker Cora – Pauline Dickson Celia – Kat Croan
Marie – Fiona Main
John – Steven Smyth Brenda Hylse – Sarah Gilchrist Rod – John Ward
Lawrence – Rory MacLean Elaine – Holliw Wegner-Jaszkin Lady Cravenshire – Dorthy Johnstone Liam – Philip Doyle
Calendar Girls will run from 9 to 12 November at the Churchill Theatre, Morningside, Edinburgh.
Tickets are available here.
Supporting Maggie’s and Brain Tumour Research.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
