Calendar Girls - BATS Review
Turnpike Community Theatre’s production of Calendar Girls, under the sensitive and steady direction of Neil G, delivers a heartwarming, poignant, and surprisingly bold evening of theatre. Based on the true story of a group of Yorkshire women who posed nude for a charity calendar, this stage adaptation—equal parts laughter and tears—is a crowd-pleaser that also tugs at the heartstrings.
At the centre of the story is the powerful friendship between Chris and Annie, played with sincere depth by Kate Sweeney and Anita Grace, respectively. Sweeney captures Chris’s brash humour and charismatic leadership with unshakable energy, while Grace’s portrayal of Annie’s quiet strength and grief is genuinely affecting. Together, they form the emotional spine of the play, anchoring it with authenticity.
Hannah Boardman brings a vibrant energy to Cora, balancing mischief with maternal warmth, while Laura G’s Celia is the epitome of posh glamour with just enough vulnerability to avoid caricature. Jeanette Wilkinson as the spirited Jessie, delivering one-liners with dry precision, and Andrea Peters’ Ruth is a moving portrait of a woman growing into her confidence—her transformation one of the production’s most satisfying arcs.
In the supporting roles, Sue Slack gives Marie a brittle exterior that slowly reveals the character’s humanity, and Sarah Masters makes Brenda a delightfully down-to-earth presence. Ann McKeever and Lauren Allister lend spark and elegance to Lady Cravenshire and Elaine, respectively, adding light comic touches that round out the world of the show.
On the male side of the cast, Mark Bassett is gentle and grounding as John, whose illness becomes the catalyst for the women’s bold fundraising venture. Richard Pilkington brings sincerity and subtle humour to Rod, while Paul Hilton as Lawrence—tasked with the awkward job of photographing the calendar shoot—manages to be both professional and flustered in equal measure. Danny Tooby (Liam) and Dee Urmston (as the WI Chair) round out the ensemble with solid, well-pitched performances.
Neil G’s direction ensures the play’s emotional transitions feel earned, with moments of deep grief giving way organically to bursts of laughter. The production does not shy away from the vulnerability of the iconic calendar photo scenes, handled here with grace, confidence, and a commendable sense of fun.
Visually, the show keeps things simple, allowing the performances and story to take centre stage. Costumes are appropriately modest for Act One and liberatingly cheeky for the calendar shoot, with clever staging helping the audience imagine what is left unseen.
All told, Calendar Girls is a warm, funny, and emotionally satisfying piece of theatre, and Turnpike Community Theatre’s rendition captures its heart with conviction. It’s a celebration of friendship, resilience, and daring to do something a little bit wild in the face of sorrow—and the company has every reason to be proud.
Jason Crompton
11/06/2025