Calendar Girls

BMOS at The Crescent Theatre all this week

“A welcome dash of summer sun”

The sight of bright sunflowers was just what was required on a chilly night, after dashing through the frosty Birmingham streets all festooned for the annual German market.

BMOS continue to bloom with their latest delightful interpretation of the popular Calendar Girls, a musical by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth based on the hugely beloved film of the same name. My suggestion is you go and soak up a bit of sunshine while you can, the cosy home of the local Women’s Institute cooks up warmth, fun, and female fellowship with very little evidence of jam.

The yearly calendar takes a risky route following the news that Annie’s husband has succumbed to cancer and with some enthusiastic steering from good friend Chris the plan is to raise enough money to replace a very uncomfortable sofa for the visitor’s room in Skipton Hospital.

And so, the ladies, together with ample amounts of fruit, scones and flowers all disrobe and take centre stage in front of the camera and a rather nervy photographer.

The result is an awful lot of donations and some wonderful comic moments from all the cast members.

Jo Smith as Chris and Michelle Worthington as Annie are beautifully believable and craft an engaging double act, likeable and driven with admirable northern determination and humour. They are more than admirably assisted by Sarah Russell, Jaz Davison, Sarah Morris, and Maria Raymond all of whom have us routing for them as they superbly mold some authentic and persuasive characterisations. Calendar Girls is a team musical and depends highly on the audience feeling part of the ensemble and cheering from the sidelines as the reveals got closer. This we all did with ease and contentment.

The younger members of the company, Jessica Smith, Charlie Pugh and Emerson Clarke-Selby as Jenny, Danny and Tommo make the most of their moments of embarrassment, banter, and touches of romance. All display a nice comic skill. As did Nick Owenford as the ailing but always upbeat gardening husband John.

The vocals throughout are impressive, the songs themselves are honest and push the narrative on impressively if a little repetitive in style. The first act may have benefited from a little bit of delicate editing as it felt a little pedestrian prior to the interval. But the second act picks up the pace and is full of revealing delights.

Enjoy the late sunshine while you can. BMOS return next year to the Alexandra with We Will Rock You. Put it in your calendars now.

Well done, Girls.

David Robinson