Canal Street Online Manchester

Calendar Girls

Calendar Girls

The original Calendar Girl Miss Lynda Bellingham returns to the show
with Camilla Dallerup, Jan Harvey, Sue Holderness, Deena Payne, Lisa
Riley, June Watson, Ruth Madoc, Kevin Sacre and Joe McGann at the
Manchester Opera House.

A group of ordinary women do something extraordinary and spark a global
phenomenon when they persuade one another to pose for a charity
calendar with a difference! Based on an inspiring true story, Calendar
Girls is quirky, poignant and hilarious.

Calendar Girls has sold out in every theatre it’s visited before
opening. so make sure you book straight away.

I've been waiting a long time to see Calendar Girls and I was not
disappointed in the least.  I would definitely call this the best
theatre production I have seen yet.  I was moved to tears during the
first and second acts, which hasn't happened before in the theatre. 
The all star cast completely capture this truly amazing story, making
it truly personal and poignant.

Joe McGann as John was truly amazing.  You can physically see a change
in his character as the wretched disease that is cancer takes hold, how
they achieved this I do not know, but you cannot hear a sound in the
theatre as it becomes apparent his illness has got worse.  When John
loses his battle with cancer, the way this is handled on stage is so
moving, so real, it is hard not to cry.  Joe McGann was an amazing
character and full credit must be given.

The girls themselves, well what can I say.  They certainly know how to
make you laugh, Lynda Bellingham and Jan Harvey are excellent leads,
not only do they make you laugh, but you can also feel their pain. 
Lisa Riley is truly hilarious, you will really laugh out loud.  Ruth
Madoc, Deena Payne, June Watson, Sue Holderness and Jane Lambert all
equal the performances of the main characters.  With a production that
is so excellent, it is easy to see why such a star studded graces the
stage.

However, there is a very real element to this production, that makes it
truly personal compared to the film.  You are reminded that this is a
true story, that it really happened and that whilst you will laugh out
loud, you'll soon realise that underneath is a very sad and hard story.
  The actors truly hit this home in a way I never expected and
completely blew me away.

I cannot sing the praises for this production enough, it is worth more
than 5 stars and if you don't normally go the theatre, or you are
undecided, this is something you do not want to miss as it comes to
Manchester for the very final time.  So hurry, book a ticket, if there
is only one thing you see this year, you best make sure it is the
Calendar Girls.

The Calendar Girls is on at the Manchester Opera House until 24th March.  For more details

Reviewed by Jamie Masterman for canal-st.co.uk

Published: 22-Mar-2012: (1212)

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