Homegrown talents and childhood friends Gary Barlow and Tim Firth have teamed up to create the musical version of Calendar Girls.
Just like the film and stage production, The Girls is based on the charming true story of a group of Women’s Institute members who produced a nude calendar – save for some strategically placed teacups and flowers to protect their modesty – to raise money for a new sofa for their local hospital, in memory of one of their husbands.
Writer of the screen and stage plays, Olivier Award-winning Tim enlisted the Take That frontman to pen the music for The Girls.
The successful duo, who both grew up in Frodsham, revealed the project on Sunday (March 22) at Burnsall Village Hall in North Yorkshire where the original Calendar Girls’ story began.
Their announcement followed a rehearsal of the new musical in front of the inspiring group of ladies, locals and industry professionals.
Gary and Tim said: “We are over the moon with the reception our new musical The Girls has had here in Burnsall, and to have received the ecstatic blessing of the original Calendar Girls is something that is so special to us.
“We look forward to its world premiere.”
Gary and Tim speak to Jen Unwin from our sister paper the Manchester Evening News.
The Girls, which will raise funds for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, will have its world premiere at Leeds Grand Theatre on November 14 this year before moving to the Lowry Centre in Salford from January 13 to January 30, 2016.
To book tickets to see The Girls at The Lowry, visit The Lowry or call the box office on 0843 208 6000.
