Drama group's Calendar Girls make a date to bare all

THIS group of brave women will almost bare all as they follow in the footsteps of Hollywood stars Helen Mirren and Julie Walters.

In front of 1,200 people over four sell-out nights at Lutterworth College next Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (October 9-13), the Wycliffe Drama Group will strip off as they re-tell one of the most heart-warming stories of our generation, Calendar Girls.

As well as starring in the stage version of the real life tale which became one of the world’s biggest films, director Suzanne Hack’s cast have also made their own calendar as they too bid to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

But despite the risqué nature of the play, and indeed the calendar, there was no shortage of volunteers when auditions were held at the start of the year.

Suzanne told us: “I had to select a cast in the end which was great because I feared I would struggle to cast it.

“It’s all done very tastefully and the audience don’t actually see anything because we have carefully placed props, but the ladies still have to take their clothes off.

“I have a really great cast, they’ve all been really dedicated. They have put their hearts and souls into it as have the production team - they’ve been a great combination.

“It’s a very talented group with some newcomers who have never been on stage before so they are feeling the nerves more than others, but everyone’s helping everyone else through.

“I’m really proud of them, it’s going to be a great show and they’re going to do a great job. I wished we had gone for a full week run now!”

As in the film the stars of the show are very normal people who have never stripped in public before.

One of those is accountant by day Kate Gamble, who plays Knapely WI’s organist Cora. She told us she had not hesitation in going for one of the main parts.

“I had a moment when Suzanne said we were going to do the show poster at the piano, but it would have been a cop out if we didn’t do it,” the 50-year-old mum of two told The Observer.

“It’s going to be interesting. I don’t think I would have done it 20 years ago but I have more confidence in myself now.

“I think the most important bit is no-one sees anything but we’re still there not wearing anything and that is going to be very daunting.

“It is very nerve-wracking, but when the curtain goes up the nerves will go I think.

“It’s a bit strange if you don’t have some nerves whatever play your doing. Add to that we’re doing an extra night than we normally do so it’s going to certainly be one to remember.”

For fellow cast member Pat Knight, who works at Glenfield Hospital, it is straight in at the deep end for what is her first ever acting role.

The married mum of one steps into Penelope Wilton’s role as Ruth, but unlike her character who in the real-life story initially had reservations about stripping off there were few doubts she wanted to be involved.

“I’m in my 50th year and I wanted to do lots of things I haven’t done before,” said Ruth.

“I thought maybe I’d miss out a little bit if I didn’t get totally involved. I spoke to Suzanne about how it was going to be done and portrayed, and then went for it.

“We’ve had a couple photo shoots for the calendar and the promotional poster, and everyone was really supportive to each other, there’s a real camaraderie because we’re all quite nervous.

“I’ve been fine until last Tuesday when I felt the nerves starting to creep in but I’m hoping I’ll be fine by the time the first night comes around.”

Mother and grandmother Mary Green, who stars the oldest WI member and retired teacher Jessie (played by Annette Crosbie in the film), said it was a privilege to be involved in what she described as an inspirational and emotional story based on real people real life.

“There are few people whose lives have not been touched in some way by cancer and I hope this production will help shine a light for someone in an on-going battle.

“The nude calendar shots form the whole concept of the story and are very much part of the original WI ladies on whom the characters are based; though the real art of the nudity is in what is withheld.”

The cast also includes Melanie Lee as Annie, Jackie Matthew, Norma Harratt, Vicky Stirling, Joyce Galley, Lauren Crooks as well as Gary Hack and Keith Parkin.

Proceeds from Wycliffe Drama Group’s own calendar which will be on sale on show nights and from the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research charity shop in Station Road in Lutterworth will go to the charity.

The cast during rehearsals this week (s)

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