THE GIRLS at the Phoenix Theatre

Editor 22/02/201722/04/2017 Ben Hunter, Calendar Girls, Chloe May Jackson, Claire Machin, Claire Moore, Debbie Chazen, Gary Barlow, James Gaddas, Jenny Gayner, Jeremy Clyde, Joanna Riding, Joe Caffrey, John Davitt, Josh Benson, Judith Street, Marian McLoughlin, Maxwell Hutcheon, Michele Dotrice, Phoenix Theatre, Shirley Jameson, Soo Drouet, Sophie-Louise Dann, Steve Giles, The Girls

Gary Barlow’s musical based on the 2003 Calendar Girls film makes its West End premiere at London’s Phoenix Theatre. Penned by world-famous composer and musician Barlow, The Girls features lyrics and a book by the film’s original screenwriter Tim Firth.

The Girls is the real life story of a Women’s Institute group who decide to fundraise for a local hospital by posing for a raunchy-but-tasteful nude calendar. Inadvertently, the group become media sensations, and are soon hounded for their story. A heart-warming story that follows the close friendships in the group, as well as the strained personal lives, The Girls is sure to be a British hit.

Firth’s The Girls originally premiered as a play in 2015 at the Leeds Grand Theatre, and later at The Lowry in Salford in 2016. Based on the 2003 film which featured renowned actresses Helen Mirren, Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton, Linda Bassett, Annette Crosbie and Geraldine James, Calendar Girls is the uplifting tale that is bound to capture the hearts of London audiences. Now, the updated production will feature music by Barlow, which is sure to make it a West End classic.

Cast and Creative

The Girls is the entirely new musical by Take That member Gary Barlow and playwright Tim Firth, based on Firth’s original 2003 film Calendar Girls. With music by Barlow and lyrics by Firth, the score is sure to be a hit, with Broadway spectacular Finding Neverland already under Barlow’s belt. Directed by Firth, The Girls features design by Robert Jones and lighting design by Tim Lutkin, with sound design by Terry Jardine and Nick Lidster.

Cast members include Debbie Chazen as Ruth, Sophie-Louise Dann as Celia, Michele Dotrice as Jessie, Marian McLoughlin as Marie, Claire Moore as Chris, Claire Machin as Cora and Joanna Riding as Annie. Further cast members include Joe Caffrey as Rod, Jeremy Clyde as Dennis, John Davitt as Doctor, Soo Drouet as Brenda, James Gaddas as John, Jenny Gayner as Miss Wilson (Coffee), Steve Giles as Lawrence, Maxwell Hutcheon as Colin, Shirley Jameson as Miss Wilson (Tea), Judith Street as Lady Cravenshire, Josh Benson as Tommo, Ben Hunter as Danny and Chloe May Jackson as Jenny.

Song List
“Yorkshire” – Full Company
“Girls”
“Scarborough”
“Who Wants a Silent Night?” – Cora and Company
“Mrs Conventional” – The Girls
“Sunflower” – Chris
“Dare” – Chris, Annie and the Girls
“Protect Me Less” – Danny
“So I’ve Had a Little Work Done” – Celia
“What Age Expects” – Jessie
“Kilimanjaro” – Annie
“My Russian Friend and I” – Ruth
“For One Night Only” – Full Company
Show Lengths and Times
The Girls began previews at the Phoenix Theatre on January 28th 2017, with an official opening on February 21st 2017. Performances are at 7:30pm every evening, excluding Sundays, with matinees at 2:30pm on Thursdays and Saturdays.