Operatic chooses Calendar Girls musical as its 2022 production

Llangollen Operatic Society is getting down to bare dramatic essentials with its next show.

But audiences longing for a post-pandemic return to the live stage are going to have to wait until next year to see their interpretation of Calendar Girls – the Musical by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth which tells the tale of a group of WI  ladies who feature themselves in a nude calendar to raise money for leukaemia research, 

The show, which in its non-musical original guise was a massively successful film, has become available for amateur groups to do and Llangollen will put it on at the Town Hall from Thursday-Saturday, September 1-3, 2022, including a matinee on the Saturday.  

Co-producing with her husband Mike Jones, Tracey Kempster-Jones said: “In my 30th year with the society, I am extremely excited to be able to bring this heart-warming and funny new musical to Llangollen. 

“Following on from cutting my teeth in production with Sister Act and The Producers, I am delighted to head out of lockdown with two very good talented friends in this production. 

“Although the licence was released to amateurs very recently, as a production team a decision was made to hold back on a performance date until next year to offer us better opportunities to meet in groups safely. 

“And it will definitely be worth the wait.” 

She added: “The on-stage nudity is written in as part of the licence. However. It that scene will be rehearsed and choreographed with great respect and both lit and set in such a way that modesty will be fully taken account of."

Musical director for the show will be Elen Mair Roberts who said: “I am both honoured and excited to be invited to be part of this wonderful show. 

“It's no secret among many who know me that Calendar Girls is a play that I had always wanted to be a part of and when the musical came to be, it floated the boat even more! 

“Having had a little break away from the society to focus on family and other work, this was definitely a wonderful call to receive to step back into the very special Llangollen Operatic Society. 

“I know we are all very excited to bring this brilliant and heartfelt story to Llangollen and can't wait to get started.” 

Artistic director for the show will be Nia Pickering who said: “After one of the toughest years any of us could have ever imagined, I didn’t hesitate to be a part of the Llangollen Operatic Society’s production of Calendar Girls. 

“What an amazing and upbeat show to re-enter the local theatre scene with. The original story itself is so inspiring and one of courage and resolve in difficult times. Perfect! 

“We hope that anyone interested in being a part of the show in anyway, be it on or off stage or a member of the audience, will be as excited as we are for this production.” 

* The society is keen to encourage members old and new to join its  information page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/609474150452057 or, for more information, to contact Tracey Kempster-Jones at: traceykempsterjones@btinternet.com