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Review:- "Yorkshire
Goes Crackers for The Girls at Leeds Grand Theatre 2015!"
Review by Jo
Forrest...
Photograph above is by Matt
Crockett
THE
Girls officially opened in the Leeds
Grand Theatre, on Tuesday, 1 December 2015, and what a show that was. This
most anticipated of musicals was written by
Gary
Barlow and
Tim
Firt, who wrote the original
Calendar
Girls, 12 years ago, that was 1st made
into a
film, and then 5 years later as a stage
play. The audience was treated to a fun filled evening, as well
as Gary joining cast on stage at the end to perform as a special treat, then
being introduced to the original Calendar
Girls as they also joined the cast on
stage. It was a special night indeed, with a well deserved standing
ovation.
The story introduces us to a group of women from the Rylstone and District
Women's Institute. We gradually get to know and bond with the characters
their quirky personalities and their everyday life. Although this is a very
funny musical the story itself is actually quite sad. It is hard not to get
emotional at times as we go on the journey with Annie (Joanna Riding) as her
husband is diagnosed with cancer having never had a days illness in his
life, the subsequent treatment and his eventual death. However, there are
some very funny moments during this time as well, especially, when Annie's
good friend Chris (Claire Moore) bursts onto the stage in a wheelchair that
she had found shouting:- "you will not believe how fast I have just
got served."
In the 2nd ˝ of the show we have Chris coming up with the idea to raise
money for a new couch at the hospital where John was treated, which is of
course is the now famous 'nude
calendar'. We then go on a journey with each of the ladies who are
to participate and their inner struggles, as well as dealing with opposition
from Marie (Harriet Thorpe) forcing them to travel to London to seek
permission from the Women's Institute headquarters, this takes us up to the
moment where each of them derobe in turn and strike their pose. I have to
admit I thought these ladies were very brave to go on stage in front of
hundreds of people and get naked.
The characters are strong and funny, it is hard not to lose yourself in the
show and share/feel their joy and pain. We are taken on a journey where the
laughter is almost non stop as well as shedding a few tears as well as
ultimately friendship overcoming diversity. The set design by Robert Jones
was clever and innovative, using boxes, drawers and wardrobes.
A brilliantly funny musical that is an absolute must see. The show is on in
Leeds until the 12 December 2015, before opening at The Lowry on 8 January
2016. After that that show heads to the
West End, where there is no doubt that this will be another huge success for
both Tim and Gary.
The show runs at:-
Leeds Grand
Theatre until 12 December 2015. Tickets
can be obtained via calling:- 0844 848 2700.
The show will then move to the
Lowry Manchester, running over 8
January to 30 January 2015. Tickets can be obtained via:- 0843 208 6000.
Photographs below by
Jo
Forrest.
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