Calendar Girls, Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton

Tuesday 25th October 2011, 3:21PM BST.

Calendar Girls at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton

Calendar Girls

Grand Theatre

Wolverhampton

Review: How ironic that the heartbreaking story of a wife losing her husband to leukaemia should result in Tim Firth’s absolutely hilarious play, Calendar Girls, which completely filled the house last night.

Based on a true story of a group of Yorkshire women who produce a nude calendar in memory of their friend’s spouse, it has delighted theatre and cinema goers alike.

You’ve got to be brave to film a nude photo shoot live on stage and it certainly takes some bare-faced cheek (pardon the pun!) but all six actresses rise admirably to the challenge.

Linda Bellingham is outstanding as Chris, showing the younger actresses how it’s done, while Jan Harvey gives a touching performance as the newly widowed Annie. There’s a sprinkling of glamour in the form of Rula Lenska as Celia and Jennifer Ellison earns her comedy crown as single mum Cora.

June Watson as Jessie delivers some of the best lines in the show and Debbie Chazen as the down-trodden Ruth deservedly gets the biggest laugh of the night!

Uplifting entertainment that makes you want to wear a sunflower with pride. Runs until Saturday.

Alison Norton

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