The new cast for the UK tour of Gary Barlow and Tim Firth’s musical has been confirmed.
The touring production based on the hit film and true story is set to star Sarah Jane Buckley (Blood Brothers and Kathy Barnes in Hollyoaks) as Annie, Sue Devaney (the soon to be seen new Russell T. Davies series Years and Years, Jane in Dinnerladies, Liz Harker in Casualty, Debbie Webster in Coronation Street and Rosie in the musical Mamma Mia!) as Cora, Julia Hills (Doctor Kemp in Broadchurch, Annabelle Shrivener in The Archers) as Ruth, Judy Holt (Cold Feet, Scott & Bailey) as Marie and Lisa Maxwell (panellist on Loose Women, Tracey Donovan in Hollyoaks, Samantha Nixon in The Bill and various roles in The Les Dennis Laughter Show and The Russ Abbot Show) as Celia – all making their debuts Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, on the 23rd April.
Meanwhile, Ruth Madoc and Rebecca Storm will continue to play Jessie and Chris, with Karen Dunbar will return to play Cora when the production visits Glasgow’s King’s Theatre from 11th to the 22nd June.
The cast will also include Phil Corbitt as John, Ian Mercer as Rod, Sebastian Aberneri as Colin, Alan Stocks as Denis, Pauline Daniels as Lady Cravenshire, Ellie Leah as Miss Wilson, Danny Howker as Danny, Isabel Caswell as Jenny and Tyler Dobbs as Tommo.
Calendar Girls, directed by Matt Ryan 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. This 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.
The musical is designed by Robert Jones, with comedy staging by Jos Houben, movement by Lucy Hind.
For more information about Calendar Girls the Musical visit:http://www.calendargirlsthemusical.com/