Calendar Girls
Directed by Allen Flynn
When Annie’s husband, John, dies of leukaemia, she and best friend, Chris, resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They manage to persuade four fellow Women’s Institute members to pose nude with them for an ‘alternative calendar’, with a little help from hospital porter and amateur photographer, Lawrence. The news of the women’s charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales. The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie’s friendship is put to the test under the strain of their new-found fame.
Based on a true story of eleven Women’s Institute members who posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund, Calendar Girls opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre and has since become the fastest selling play in British theatre history.
Cast
Chris: Maeve Plunkett
Annie: Saoirse Byrne
Cora: Sandra Cox
Jessie: Patricia Shannon
Celia: Rachel Culligan
Ruth: Brid Finnegan
Marie: Tara Manning
Lady Cravenshire: Mary Poitier
Elaine: Sinead Finn
Brenda Hulse: Helen Forde
Lawrence: Cormac O’Sullivan
John: Aidan O’Gara
Rod: Neil Haran
Liam: Joe Varden
Success of Calendar Girls
Ennis Player’s production of Calendar Girls was a huge success – many thanks to our wonderful audiences who supported the show and as a consequence the four charities who will benefit from all proceeds. Full house for the four nights…. with a waiting list for any cancellations. Does not happen very happen! What can we say but thanks to all who supported us over the four nights of production!!! Without a great cast/director and crew, we would not have had such a great show so great credit is due to them for making it happen. The Clare Champion, who are great supporters of the Arts scene in Clare, provided stauch support which is much appreciated.
In excess of over €30,000 was raised for the four local charities: West Clare Mini-Marathon Cancer Services, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (Ennis Branch), Slainte an Chlair (Clare Cancer Support) and Cahercalla Community Hospital & Hospice, who are hugely grateful for the donations and I am sure, ensure all monies are put to good use.
