Review: Witham Amateur Operatic Society's Calendar Girls

Witham Amateur Operatic Society (WAOS) held its opening night of Calendar Girls The Musical on Monday.

The show runs until April 27 at Witham Public Hall.

The musical follows the real-life story of a Yorkshire Women's Institute whose members created a charity calendar.

They famously posed for a daring 'nude' calendar to raise money for charity after one of the group’s husbands died from leukaemia.

Gifted - Actor Susy Hawkes-Dighton as Annie Clarke (Image: Katrina Louise Photography)

Talented - Constance Lawton as Chris Harper (Image: Katrina Louise Photography)

Performer - Liv Possee as Jenny (Image: Katrina Louise Photography)

The 2003 Calendar Girls film, which was based on the story, starred Helen Mirren and Julie Walters.

A musical was also penned by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth.

The WAOS take on Calendar Girls The Musical was fantastic from start to finish.

With the run up to the production the group has been raising thousands for Farleigh Hospice through the sale of its own risqué calendar, a raffle, auction, and by selling memorial sunflowers.

Before the show kicked off, it was beautiful to see two walls of sunflowers, which each dedicated to someone lost to the condition or currently battling it.

Touching - one of the lovely sunflower walls in the hall during the play (Image: Newsquest)

Comical - left to right: actor Gary Rolph as an ensemble cast member, Joe Geddis as Dennis, Michael Mundell-Poole as Rod, and Richard Herring as Colin (Image: Katrina Louise Photography)

Emotive - another musical performance from the cast (Image: Katrina Louise Photography)

The 26-person cast, talented production team and live orchestra put on a spectacular show, with the packed-out audience laughing, cheering and applauding.

It was a pleasure watching lead actors Susy Hawkes-Dighton, who played Annie, and Constance Lawton, who played Chris.

Susy provided some versatile vocals, displaying emotion in her voice with ease.

Constance’s portrayal of Chris was exceptional, and it was even more touching as the actor’s brother died from the illness five years ago.

The rest of the principal cast were outstanding, especially Alice Ward as Cora, Carole Hart as Jessie, Michelle Bacon as Celia and Rhoda Taylor as Ruth.

It was a joy to watch ‘teenagers’ Will Hackett, Liv Possee, and Ben Rolph as Danny, Jenny, and Tommo.

Moving - cast members during the first half of the show (Image: Katrina Louise Photography)

Performing - the cast finishing a musical performance (Image: Katrina Louise Photography)

Amusing - Actor Michelle Bacon as Celia having a golf lesson (Image: Katrina Louise Photography)

The whole cast managed to pivot from light-hearted, comical scenes to poignant moments in the oncology department.

During the second half,  the nude photoshoot, the scene is managed with grace and elegance, with the models' modesty tastefully covered by props.

Actual images from the real WAOS charity calendar are flashed up on screens on either side of the stage.

The cast members involved must be commended for being so brave in front of a live audience.

Overall, there was moments of laughter, sadness, and strong vocals from the whole cast, and it is all in aid of a very good cause.