Women for all seasons at The Mill
Calendar Girls at The Mill at Sonning until June 1 Review by DEREK ANSELL
THIS is a show that has been around for many years, gaining notoriety at first, which has faded generally over the years. It was first a stage play then a film and has also been presented as a musical.
The story is a true one, based on a group of members of the Yorkshire Knapely WI who decided to pose nude for their annual calendar, to raise funds for the cancer wing of Skipton Hospital.
The calendar was a huge success and in the early years famous for making a lot of money for the then taboo subject of cancer.
The play centres on the money for cancer treatment, the worldwide success of the venture and the friendship of the women involved.
Two of the women posing for the calendar have appeared at The Mill before, Basienka Blake as Celia and Natalie Ogle as Annie. Elizabeth Elvin, bright and cheerful as Marie, has appeared several times at The Mill. Together with the six other women in the cast they all gave lively, well- constructed performances.
The three solitary men played their parts effectively. Stephen Pinder as Rod, Andrew Ryan John and Oscar Cleaver, making his professional debut, did very well in two short parts as Lawrence, a shy photographer, and Liam, a brash television man.
So, gradually the plan is hatched even though several of the women have initial doubts.
Celia admits she once rode topless on the back of a Harley Davison, but protests that she was only 16 at the time. Sarah Whitlock as Jessie, an older woman, knows how far she will go and no further. ‘No front bottoms,’ she yells at the others furiously.
She needn’t have worried, what little bare flesh is revealed at the photoshoot is tastefully covered up with large objects. All goes well and the calendar is a great success, raising thousands rather than the expected hundreds of pounds.
Later the women are delighted to be reading notes from their ‘fans’. One, happily reading her mail, is really content until she gets near the end and reads ‘I’d love to see your’ ... then stops reading. Not before noticing that it was sent from HM prison.
There are lots of laughs in this comedy and not just about naked people.
Mainly the play is about friendship and working against the evil disease of cancer. Throughout, gentle mockery is directed at the WI and particularly at one woman whose best cake prize was won by one she bought at M&S.
Listening to the women expressing their hopes and fears is uplifting and watch out for the song at the end.
You know the one.
Listening to the women expressing their hopes and fears is uplifting