Make a date to check out the Calendar Girls at the Mill at Sonning

Make a date to check out Calendar Girls, the disarming tale of the Women’s Institute

ladies from Yorkshire who disrobed for a dozen photos and became a worldwide sensation.

This adaptation by Tim Firth is a charming retelling of the true story which became a hit film starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters.

Central to the plot are Annie (Natalie Ogle) and Chris (Rachel Fielding) who come up with the idea of a calendar to raise funds for the hospital that treated Annie’s husband John for leukemia.

Spurred by John’s memory, and the bottom-prodding settee in the ward visitors’ lounge, they persuade their group to pose with cakes, pearls, flowers and other WI items – but in the nude.

The set for the Mill at Sonning production features the classic black, white and red calendar design framing the set and highlights the passing of time with by spotlighting the months. We follow the fundraising scheme, John’s illness, the hilarious photoshoot, the national WI conference and the calendar becoming a international phenomenon.

Full of humour, the story is brought lovingly to life by a strong cast of 12. It’s lovely to see a large, talented cast on the stage, even if it’s unusual to see quite so much of the actors.

It’s an excellent ensemble piece and the lead women are compelling as bereft Annie and forthright Chris. A dishonourable mention should go to Basienka Blake who has great fun as the extrovert Celia, the polar opposite of shy photographer Lawrence, played winningly by Oscar Cleaver. The first-night audience was rooting for Ciara Janson as shy Ruth and her breakthrough moment won a round of applause.

The set and the lighting, which worked really well though for me the last scene might have been stronger with just the projection of a sunflower field.

But that was my one criticism of a wonderful slice of entertainment.

Make that date now.