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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Flash Bang Wallop
Picture: Brian J Groom Calendar Girls Sutton Arts Theatre ***** IT'S A RARE thing of beauty when an act
of daring charitable goodwill becomes the basis of fictional writing but
then by doing so eventually returns full circle for that act to be
recreated again with benefits, perhaps many times over. In 1998 the Rylstone
Women's Institute caused a media sensation when they starred in and
produced a nude calendar that was dedicated to John Baker who had died
from Leukaemia. Their hope was that it would raise a few hundred pounds
to replace a sofa at the local hospital. The story may well have faded into old news if it
had not been for Tim Firth who in 2003 turned the event into the
screenplay and film Calendar Girls. The film went on to win a
host of awards including Best Comedy and Golden Globe nominations for
two of its stars Helen Mirren and Julie Walters. In 2005, Firth adapted the script into a play and
it has been on a professional national tour for a while but now, and for
just the next 18 months, it's been granted amateur licences. In doing so he has unwittingly completed a
reality loop like no other play has ever done before. Unlike the film or
professional performances we are never really witness to the real drama
of a bunch of ordinary lasses braving all for the camera. We know they
are professionals with the time to light and position everything and no
doubt also received a considerable fee. Where's the real risk in that? However on the stage of Sutton Arts there is no
such luxury or reward and this powerhouse of a cast have recreated a
sentiment true to the original act that is in many ways even more
daring, as quite obviously there is now an audience. The circle is made
final as they too have also created their own Calendar Girls Calendar
for sale during the performance, the proceeds of which go to Leukaemia
Research. So you see this has become more than just a play. It is this fact that makes the work of these
Non-professionals so compelling and applaudable .They are appearing nude
and doing it for real and for the first time. BARING ALL It's not all about stripping off though as whilst
the central act of baring all is still key to the central theme,
Firths play skilfully opens the door to life in the Dales , the
district snobbery and the complexity of a series of failing
relationships and these issues were all handled with real depth. The play moves from comedy to intense emotion in
a moment and a fiery interchange between the lead characters of Chris (
Denise Phillips) and Annie (Elena Serafinas) stunned the audience into
silence after the cat calls and laughter. Louise Farmer did a good job
as Ruth the quiet victim who after her nude session finally gathers the
strength to break out from her downtrodden character . Finally it would
not be right to not mention Faye Arrowsmith, Deborah Loweth and Dorothy
Goodwin who all with great confidence appeared `Nude' not naked . Whilst the ladies will no doubt be remembered for being more visible than most they were ably supported by the entire cast with some fine performances throughout. I also have to fully complement the prop and
staging department whose work and constant resetting of the stage helped
make this such an excellent performance. It's likely that you will see fair amount of
similar amateur productions of Calendar Girls appearing across the UK in
the coming year but they will have to work hard to beat this one. A few times in the past you might have read that
something is unmissable but I can say fully without reserve this time
that comment really applies and I guarantee you will enjoy it. I don't
think there has ever been a blurring of the narrative and players in a
performance quite like this. You can't act Nude. You either are or you
are not. The cast were brilliant and I take my hat off to
them for their bravery and acting composure and unlike the ladies that's
all I will be removing. Jeff Grant |
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