Gary Barlow and Tim Firth’s musical comedy, Calendar Girls the Musical, will head out on a UK tour from August, opening at the Leeds Grand Theatre in Yorkshire.
There have been 30 weeks confirmed so far, with further dates to be added. The new tour will star novelist and television presenter Fern Britton, returning to the stage for the first time in 30 years, as Marie.
Joining her will be Lorraine Bruce as Cora, Anna-Jane Casey as Annie, and Sara Crowe as Ruth.
The production played a six-month London season at the Phoenix Theatre last year, and, before that, played sold-out seasons in Leeds and Manchester.
Tim Firth said: "To be given a chance to revisit Calendar Girls the Musical is a unique opportunity.”
Gary Barlow added: "What a phenomenal new cast we have. Tim and I sat in - and indeed played - on the auditions and have been so lucky to have put together such talented ladies.”
Calendar Girls the Musical synopsis
Calendar Girls the Musical is inspired by the true story of a group of ladies, who decide to appear nude for a Women’s Institute calendar in order to raise funds to buy a settee for their local hospital, in memory of one of their husbands, and have to date raised almost £5million for Bloodwise.
The musical comedy shows life in their Yorkshire village, how it happened, the effect on husbands, sons and daughters, and how a group of ordinary ladies achieved something extraordinary.
Bloodwise, the UK’s specialist blood cancer charity, will continue to receive monies from this production.
Selected Calendar Girls tour dates:
Leeds Grand Theatre: 16th August – 1st September
Newcastle Theatre Royal: 18th – 29th September
Leicester De Montfort Hall: 16th – 20th October
Hull New Theatre: 20th – 24th November
Liverpool Empire: 27th November – 1st December
Norwich Theatre Royal: 5th – 16th February
For further information visit www.calendargirlsthemusical.com.
Pictured L to R: Denise Welch, Rebecca Storm, Lorraine Bruce, Fern Britton, Sara Crowe, Anna-Jane Casey, Ruth Madoc. (Photo credit: John Swannell).
