This world premiere finally has come to the theatre via the sad death of the husband of a member of the WI, which brought about a calendar, a BBC documentary and a film. This version is superbly staged and directed in a most sensitive manner with supreme stagecraft. The cast is a true ensemble and while no one tries to monopolise, each plays a full part in each aspect of this moving, yet at times hilariously funny story.
The death of John, splendidly played by Gary Lilburn, leads the members of the WI and his widow - superbly played with humour and great poignancy by Pat Hodge - to set out to raise funds for a settee in his memory for the visitors’ room at the hospital. Deciding upon a nude, not naked, calendar, they are organised by florist Chris, played by Lynda Bellingham, and a photographic session follows of the most exquisite sensitivity and humour. Sian Phillips plays retired schoolmistress Jessie with irony and great timing, Elaine C Smith plays Cora, a vicar’s daughter gone bad who leads the music and has a preference for jazz, Gaynor Faye as Celia is the most overtly sexy of them all while Julia Hills as Ruth is initially the most inhibited. The President of the WI is a stern and forbidding social climber, played by Brigit Forsyth.
The aftermath of the success of the calendar effectively enquires why individuals behaved in a particular way. The direction created an almost perfect balance with an ideal design by Robert Jones. An evening to remember - for the right reasons.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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