Tim Firth and Gary Barlow’s new musical based on The Calendar Girls is due to open in Leeds this year, but the question is, do the duo have their eyes set on a West End run?
The musical, aptly titled The Girls underwent a workshop period last year, with a stellar cast of Sally Dexter, Harriet Thorpe and Joanna Riding. Now, the musical comedy is due to open at the Leeds Grand from 14 November to 12 December 2015, followed by a month stint at the Lowry in Manchester from 13 January 2016.
The story of The Calendar Girls started back is 1998, when a member of the Rylstone Women’s Institute suggested that they create a nude calendar to raise money to buy a sofa for the hospital waiting room where her best friend and fellow WI member underwent treatment for cancer. The WI women from the tiny Yorkshire village became a media sensation and their story told in the smash-hit British film The Calendar Girls, penned by Tim Firth and which boasted an all-star cast including Helen Mirren, Penelope Wilton and Julie Walters. The story was then adapted into a stage play (also written by Firth) that has since toured the UK twice, playing to sold-out theatres.
As well as writing the film and play versions of The Calendar Girls, Tim Firth has written hit plays such as Neville’s Island and This Is My Family. He is also no stranger to musical theatre, having written the Madness musical, Our House.
Take That front man, Garry Barlow seems to have acquired a taste for musicals, as he is currently working on the new musical adaptation Finding Neverland, based on the life and work of beloved children’s author J.M Barrie, and a musical version of Around the World in 80 Days.
Look out for more news on The Girls coming soon…
