Calendar Girls The Musical, The show that continues to prove that there is no such thing as an ordinary woman.
The death of a much-loved husband prompts a group of ordinary women in a small Yorkshire Women’s Institute to do something extraordinary: create a nude calendar to raise money for charity.
 |
| Photo by Toby Bartholomew |
News spreads fast in their community and none of them expect the emotional and personal repercussions, but gradually the making of the fabulous and funny calendar brings each woman unexpectedly into bloom.
The true story of the Calendar Girls launched a global phenomenon, a million copycat calendars, a record-breaking movie, a West End play and now an award-winning musical, packed with unforgettable songs, written by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth.
We caught up with cast member Matt Ian Kelly who plays Rod, Colin and Dennis in the production which is currently on tour.
What can you tell me about the production for those unaware of this story and how your characters fit in the piece?
The show is a musical retelling of the Calendar Girls story from 1999. A group of very courageous women from a WI in Yorkshire embark on creating a nude Calendar to raise money for Leukaemia research after one of them loses her husband to the disease. It's a very empowering story and is told beautifully through song in this show.
I play all the rest of the living husbands! The husbands are important as they add levity to the story whilst showing their support to the cause.
You’re stepping into the shoes of Rod, Colin, and Dennis. How do you approach keeping each character visually, vocally, and emotionally distinct for the audience?
Firstly, I had to look at their wives and see who these men are in relation to the women. How do they influence the wives. Then I approached their ages, backgrounds and their dialogue. I wanted to find very distinctive attributes to each of them. Colin is older, in his 60's and moves a little less freely. He has the thickest Yorkshire accent of the three. Dennis is a little younger and probably went to a very good school. He has a slight edge of bravado to him and his movements. His accent has a slight trace of Yorkshire but he tries to keep that at bay. Finally Rod. He's the most rounded and makes the biggest impression. He's a fun loving, hard working chap and is probably the most fleshed out of the three. Working class and very grounded.
What drew you to this production in particular?
The music! There are some gorgeous songs within and quite varied in styles. I also had my own experience of having cancer last year. I discovered I had a very rare cancer called Thymoma in Spring last year. It was removed and I now have scans every 6 months to make sure it hasn't returned. It really shook me to the core but when I heard the show was casting I really felt it was a good fit. The more people talk about cancer, and its effects on both the patient and those around the patient, the better. I'm not huge believer in fate but doing this show made a lot of sense to me.
The musical blends deep Yorkshire humour with poignant, heartfelt music. How does Gary Barlow’s songs help anchor the emotional shifts between comedy and tragedy?
As I've already mentioned, there are some gorgeous songs that have exactly the right level of sensitivity without being overly sentimental. Gary and Tim have found a beautiful balance of bathos where from one song you'll be really feeling the heart strings being tugged and the next song will be grounded in humour and the normalities of carrying on with life.
This is an actor-musician version of the show. Which instruments are you playing in the show, and how does holding/playing an instrument change how you approach building your characters on stage?
I play the Euphonium, which in my mind is very much an instrument that is ingrained in Yorkshire culture. There are a couple of pieces where Rod is actively in the scene, both singing and dialogue, so I made the decision that he has always played the Euph.
The other songs are very much played out as musical onlookers so I don't include these as character moments.
Gary Barlow’s score blends folk-infused theatricality with sweeping pop harmonies. What is the most rewarding—or technically challenging—musical passage you get to perform live on stage?
The most rewarding to play is Jessie's song - 'What Age Expects'. It's the three brass instruments playing a very tight accompaniment together on a very moving song.
The most challenging pieces are where I've has to run from a scene, grab the Euph and move into the scene, playing whilst catching my breath. That happens a couple of times!
 |
| Photo by Toby Bartholomew |
While the story centres on the extraordinary journey of the Women's Institute group, the male roles ground the surrounding community. How do your characters reflect the broader impact of John’s illness and the calendar on the town?
Rod was John's best buddy and therefore does mean that he is very supportive of Chris' mission to get the Calendar out there. He is probably the most effected by the loss of all the husbands.
The effect is felt throughout the town and both Dennis and Colin end up being very proud of their respective wives.
Calendar Girls swings from lighthearted, laugh-out-loud moments to profound grief. As an actor navigating multiple roles, how do you handle those rapid emotional turns on stage?
I try and let the truth behind each moment hit me as it does. I try not to pre-empt it. To be honest, the part of the show that I think hits us all every time is the reveal of the the Sofa and the news that a new wing of the hospital has been named after John. You can feel the audiences energy change and occasionally hear the tears.
Performing this story in Cumbria at Theatre by the Lake—surrounded by northern landscape and tight-knit communities—does this help ground you?
Absolutely. I love Keswick and I love Theatre by the Lake. Having moments of grounding whilst walking round the lake and the surrounding area have been very beneficial. The people of Keswick are very much a community that opens it's arms to people from all over the world but by the same token, look out for each other.
If you were able to interview your characters, what would you choose to ask them?
Well.....we were lucky enough to meet the real Calendar Girls, who came to our press night, and with them came husbands and I sat and had food with the gentlemen that Rod is based on! What a pleasure and honour.
How do you mentally and physically prepare for a performance?
Make sure that I've had enough sleep as it's an epic show. We have quite a good amount of time to warm up before each show and I find that's where I also get into the zone and try and connect with the other actors. Lots of banter, which is so good for helping us feel like a community and come together to tell their story.
What was the first piece of theatre that had a big impact on you?
That would have been watching Ian Lavender in Panto as a very little boy. At the now-defunct Fulcrum Theatre in Slough. I believe that place closed in the mid 80's. He was having such fun and it really resonated with me that there was a way to play and make it a job.
What keeps you inspired?
Audiences. When a show really lands with an audience and you feel it in the room. Nothing like it. Also going to see other shows as often as possible. Letting books and music inspire. And a very supportive husband!!
What would you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the production?
I hope that everyone leaves the theatre with a smile and a warm and fuzzy feeling. Maybe that some people feel inspired to take action to do their own charity work. Finally, I hope people feel as though they have been on the ride with us, the ups and downs and the final triumphant moment of pure love and joy.
Calendar Girls The Musical runs at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick until Saturday 5th September 2026. For tickets and more information visit https://www.theatrebythelake.com/event/calendar-girls-the-musical-keswick-lake-district-theatre/
The show then visit New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich from 10th to 26th September https://www.wolseytheatre.co.uk/events/calendar-girls/
It's final stop is at The Octagon Theatre in Bolton from 8th to 31st October 2026. For tickets visit https://octagonbolton.co.uk/events/calendar-girls-the-musical?_gl=1*d7crus*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwzNTUBhAjEiwA7zcvWpl_B_2twyx_L0GyDxf_Lg3nG3PUUMr6fFzX1mf7zBidQeYKYz2dXhoCc5EQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAABbs1fh3SCfUR0E5tP0OROTRZuiOY
 |
| Photo by Toby Bartholomew |
Post a Comment