Tears and laughter for the Calendar Girls

Buy photos » A stage production of hit film Calendar Girls will be performed at Rugby Theatre. Picture courtesy of Martin Pulley. (s)

CALENDAR Girls is one of my favourite plays, not only because of its poignant sadness and beautifully crafted humour but also because like many others I lost my mum to lymphoma. She battled this terrible disease courageously for ten years, beating Hodgkins lymphoma but then, unusually, developing non-Hodgkins lymphoma which - even with her bravery - she could not beat.

Having watched both the movie of Calendar Girls and the recent professional version of the play with Lynda Bellingham, I was intrigued and a little apprehensive about how the amateur version at Rugby Theatre would compare.

I need not have worried. It was immediately apparent director Helen Dulcamara had captured the wonderful spirit of Calendar Girls. In turns throughout the play, I had either tears in my eyes or was in fits of laughter, as were all those around about me.

The quality of acting really impressed and made me completely forget it was an amateur production. here was a great balance to the cast and while all the main characters were very good, Ruth MacCallum in the role of Chris was a standout in what I think can be a difficult role to pull off.

Overall I had a fantastic night out and will definitely be back to see other amateur productions at Rugby Theatre. I also have to congratulate the entire cast of the play for making their own nude calendar. I can imagine just how much bravery and alcohol is needed to do this! The calendar now has pride of place in my kitchen.

Jill Caseberry

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