November 1, 2024

When Annie's husband John dies of leukaemia, she and her long-standing best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. With varying levels of encouragement, they persuade four friends and fellow members of the Women’s Institute (W.I.) to pose nude with them for an "alternative" calendar. They are assisted by hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence, who looked after John in his final days. This is much to the horror of the their local W.I. chairman, Marie. The success of the calendar goes beyond their wildest dreams and they have soon raised the money needed and much more. Their efforts also catch the attention of the national and international press, who soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales. Although the calendar is a huge success, Chris and Annie's friendship is put to the test with their new-found fame and Chris is forced to question her real motivation behind doing the calendar. Tim Firth’s hilarious play is based on the true story of eleven W.I. members who famously posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund in 1999.

When?

26th February - 1st March 2025 at 7:30pm

Matinees Friday & Saturday at 2:30pm

Where?

Trinity Theatre, Church Road,
Tunbridge Wells

The Cast

Character

Actor

Carol

Carol Smith

Jennie

Jennie Tait

Angela

Angela Barolsky

Lucy

Lucy Lockwood

Celia

Louise Ball

Brenda

Fiona Grunwell

Lady C

Sarah Ward

Grumpy Caretaker

Simon Broderick-Ward

Elaine

April Stansfield

Rod

David Smith

John

Neill Mckenzie

Lawrence

Michael Sutherland

Marie

Jo Donelan

Chris

Diana Gillinder

Cora                  

Kate Marshall

Annie

Helen Cheales

Jessie          

Mary Alderson

Ruth

Fiona Young

Liam

Nick Wray

The Crew

Director

Helen Thorpe

Production Team


Stage Manager


Set design and build


Lighting Design


Sound Design


Wardrobe and Properties


Hair and make-up


Crew


Marketing and Publicity