Calendar Girls – Bradford Alhambra

‘The flowers of Yorkshire are your women of Yorkshire’, from the initial spotlight to the closing curtain the women on that stage empowered each and every lady in that theatre. The show is a true testament and representation of womanhood in both its beauty and difficulty. Seven inspiring women took to the stage to demonstrate the beloved 2003 original narrative from female favourite ‘Calendar Girls’ that starred Julie Walters and Helen Mirren. A true traditional Yorkshire tale that concours relatable life hurdles with a devotion to honesty, what you see is what you get and there’s no hiding the truth. While the show is both entertaining and fascinating it’s also down to earth, much like the friendships and relationships on stage, the show covers the audience in a blanket of comfort and whispers to you, you are not alone.

Calendar Girls is known for being quintessentially Yorkshire and that’s exactly what the audience got, well that and big iced buns. What a bright night for Bradford and what a perfect theatre for the show to take place, with Yorkshire folk in the audience enjoying every reference to white rose towns, cakes, flowers and hobbies. Writers, Gary Barlow and Tim Firth captured those Yorkshire hearts beautifully with opening number and reprise of ‘Yorkshire’, a truly magnificent song that makes you appreciate the little things about the beloved county. Now that we’ve seen Samantha Seager play the role of Annie’s best friend ‘Chris’ we can’t unseen it, her spirit single handily spruced on the show. A truly mesmerising performance, with enticing vocals, wit and humour you couldn’t take your eyes off her.  The show stays true to demonstrating that all shapes and sizes are beautiful, as each female lead shows bravery while expressing themselves in their birthday suits on stage.

Their performance at Alhambra theatre was truly captivating, an emotional rollercoaster with many more highs than lows.  Although Colin Campbell’s exist as ‘John’ from the stage turned on the water works, as the bright white light sprung over him to signify his loss in his battle with cancer, you can’t help but feel a sense of pride. Despite not knowing the person sat next to you in that theatre, it felt as though everyone was brought together by this moment. The on-stage friendship between Annie (Laurie Brett) and Chris (Samantha Seager) was passionate and infectious, a platonic relationship that you become invested in, one that you’d very much like to be a part of. The dynamic duo where bubbly and admirable, bouncing off one another while also being each other’s shoulder to cry on. The seven women on stage where a support system you didn’t know you needed, when they came together for the number ‘sunflower of Yorkshire’, their vocals slotted together with a comforting sensation. This musical gifts you with pure serotonin, heartache, aspiration and love, you leave those doors completely in awe of the beauty and bravery that the actresses possess. A show that reinforces the triumph that is womanhood from the film and enhances it with self-expression through the power of song.

Reviewer: Phoebe Olivia Sian Hobson

Reviewed: 30th January 2024

North West End UK Rating: