Revealing Comedy at The Court Theatre

2 March 2012

Revealing Comedy at The Court Theatre

One of the bare necessities of life is a good laugh – and CALENDAR GIRLS, the latest production at The Court Theatre, delivers in spades.

Annie Whittle
CALENDAR GIRLS is inspired by the true story of a Yorkshire branch of the Women’s Institute who decide to use their annual calendar as a fundraising project to raise money for cancer by posing nude. The response – both to the calendar and the women themselves – was incredible: to date, the original “calendar girls” have raised over £2 million for Leukaemia Research.

Their story was made into a hit film in 2003, and adapted for the stage in 2008, where it enjoyed international acclaim and is the most successful play to ever tour the UK - earning more than the film.

“This is a beautiful play,” says director Alison Quigan, “at its heart is the friendship of women who are there to support each other and give each other strength to cope with all the things life throws at them.”

The cast of CALENDAR GIRLS consists of Annie Whittle, Janice Gray, Jude Gibson, Avril Thresh and Michael Keir Morrissey; Ali Harper and Juliet Reynolds-Midgley (recently on The Court’s stage in the popular season of SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM); newcomers to The Court Carl Dixon, Amanda Tollemache and Lyndee-Jane Rutherford; and recently appointed Associate of The Court Geoffrey Heath.

Quigan, who appeared on-stage in an Auckland production of the play, is enjoying working with the cast. “Each group of people bring a different energy and style.”

While CALENDAR GIRLS is renowned for its “revealing” photo shoot scene, Quigan and the cast have coordinated a tightly-choreographed sequence using 391 strategically-placed props to ensure only the actresses’ smiles will be in full view.

Quigan feels the enduring appeal and success of CALENDAR GIRLS is due to more than simple titillation. “It’s how these women expose their hearts that make this such an inspirational – and entertaining – comedy.”

CALENDAR GIRLS by Tim Firth
Directed by Alison Quigan
Cast: Carl Dixon, Jude Gibson, Janice Gray, Ali Harper, Geoffrey Heath, Michael Keir Morrissey, Juliet Reynolds-Midgely, Lyndee-Jane Rutherford, Avril Thresh, Amanda Tollemache and Annie Whittle.
Performances: 17 March – 28 April2012.
Show times: 6:30pm Mon/Thu, 7:30 Tue/Wed/Fri/Sat (2pm matinee Sat 24 March)
Venue: The Court Theatre, Bernard St, Addington
Tickets: Adults $48 | Senior $41 | Groups (10+) $39 | Student $29 | Child $19
Bookings: 03 963 0870 or www.courttheatre.orgnz

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