OK, I have to confess, I have a granny crush on Gary Barlow. Embarrassing and I don’t know why I’m declaring it publicly. It’s ever since I saw him doing his Helmand concert for the troops. Apart from his own performance he was so encouraging and supportive to the fabulous Jonny and the others.
It’s not the sort of ‘let’s throw our knickers crush’ – let’s face it, my sensible M&S ones would drag him to the ground, but I just think he and his music are exceptional.
So of course I tore along to see a preview of the musical THE GIRLS at the Phoenix Theatre on Saturday.
The set was simplicity itself: a moving sky, changing from night to day overhanging a mountain of furniture which in turn became the Yorkshire dales, the flower shop, a kitchen. Robert Jones, the set and costume designer, needs a standing ovation.
Does anyone else though?
We’re all familiar with the story of the Yorkshire WI calendar girls who achieved something extraordinary when the husband of one, Annie in the musical, is diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and dies.
The girls decided to raise money to replace the uncomfortable sofa in the hospital waiting room by pushing their own boundaries and insecurities – namely stripping off, placing iced buns in appropriate places and producing a nude – not naked- calendar.
Since then, the calendar, and the story told in film and on stage of these sublime women has raised £5million for Bloodwise, which supports worldwide research into blood cancer and supports the patients and families of sufferers of this disease.
So, is there really room for a musical? Can it be as fresh, as funny, as moving?
A resounding yes.
Tim Firth and Gary Barlow who were brought up in the same Cheshire village have produced a absolute gem. The music, the lyrics, the acting, the voices were spot on. I would go as far to say the production is inspirational as these women soldier on, bolstered by no-nonsense friendship, one stooping to the pull the other along, and then another doing the same.
It is funny, poignant, as mothers and children grow into the people they could be. The direction by Tim Firth is tight, the balance of light and shade (sadness and friendship) just about perfect. Or so I thought, but sitting in front of us were some of the real Calendar Girls, resplendent in nifty black frocks each festooned with a large sunflower. This is the flower John, the husband of Annie, had likened to Yorkshire women: blooming in their later years, and always following the sun, whatever life throws at them.
I watched their reaction as much as I watched the performance and managed to catch up with Annie, (actually Angela Baker) in the bar later – where else?
We talked of the production, which she loved for its joy, its poignancy and its music and lyrics, so wonderfully performed. Of course it brought back wrenching memories of her beloved John, but she knew that he would have not only loved it, but have applauded that ‘after all this time, the calendar girls are still raising money for the battle against blood cancer.’
For every ticket sold, the charity, bloodwise.org.uk gains.
THE GIRLS originally opened at The Grand Theatre in Leeds where it received standing ovations at every performance. Will it work as well in London?
Yesterday THE GIRLS brought the house down: cheers and applause from start to finish and a massive standing ovation.
I laughed, cried and left the better for it. On the train home, a young man asked us what we really thought of it, because he and his wife had thought of going but went to something else. ‘Shame’ we cried. So they’re going next week.
Michelle Dotrice is unwell with bronchitis so unable to perform yesterday, but crikey, Judith Street, making her West End debut at the young vibrant age of 67, hacked Jessie beautifully. We wish Michelle well, and an extra bit of applause for Jessie, who stripped off and looked great behind her carefully placed knitting.
I told him indoors. He’s hiding the knitting needles as we speak but I’m off to buy cream buns.
If there’s one show to see this spring this is it.
Go, girls, go, and take the blokes too. They’ll love it.
It opens on 28th January – 22nd April at The Phoenix Theatre 110 Charing Cross Road, London. WC2H 0JP;
Tickets available for preview now: ATG online or telephone 0844 8717629
In person from Phoenix Theatre
From 24th February, tickets for the performance are on sale.
www.bloodwise.org.uk