Many of you will remember when Calendar Girls, the film starring Julie Walters and Helen Mirren, first appeared on the big screen in 2003. Like that film (and subsequent stage show), Calendar Girls has become a perennial favourite with theatre companies and goers, both professional and non-professional. It is so quintessentially English, is based on a heart-warming real story from Yorkshire, is funny, sad, and of course and thankfully, has a happy ending.

The plot, which we’re sure you all know, is straightforward: Annie Clarke and Chris Harper, two good friends are members of the local WI in Knapely, a small village in the Yorkshire Dales. When Annie’s popular husband John dies of a terminal blood cancer, they come up with an idea to raise enough money to buy a new sofa for the family room in the hospital where John was treated. Inspired by a ‘girlie’ calendar Chris has seen, the idea is to do a nude calendar featuring them and other members of the WI group. This idea meets with scepticism from most and a definite thumbs down from Marie, the chairwoman, so they appeal directly to the national congress of the WI in London. The rest, as they say, is history. They not only overcome their own individual fears, sort out some relationships that have gone off the rails on the way, bare all (but in very good taste, hidden behind a variety of currant buns, knitting and sunflowers) and raise not just enough money for a sofa but a whole new hospital wing to be named after John. Yes, it is a true story!

Calendar Girls at The Mill at Sonning is, as to be expected, full of energy, with top notch acting, inclusivity and faithfulness to the script. The principal ladies are not only fine actresses but work together as a well-choreographed unit. And they are rather brave too - because taking one’s clothes off on stage demands a rather special kind of person with a huge amount of courage!

Natalie Ogle as Annie is outstanding – she displays a gambit of emotions that is really impressive: acting her way through the show with total confidence and conviction. The others are no less accomplished, and each has their moment to shine. Rachel Fielding as Chris is equally wonderful, proving a real friend to Annie with some hilarious one-liners; Debbie Arnold as Cora, the vicar’s daughter and unlikely organist of the parish, provides terrific support, with Sarah Whitlock’s delightful presentation of Jessie (the ex-teacher and least likely of the bunch to be featured in a nude calendar). Basienka Blake as Celia is played with gusto and sensual enthusiasm and last but by no means least is the hugely talented Ciara Janson who plays the troubled Ruth. As an ensemble, they really are a tour de force. There is no weak link in the whole production and the principal cast are well supported by Andrew Ryan as John, Steven Pinder as Rod, Dawn Perllman as Brenda Hulse/Lady Cravenshire, Oscar Cleaver as Lawrence, Elizabeth Elvin as Marie, and Kitty Harris as Elaine/Heather.

The set is simple and effectively depicts a village hall and Yorkshire landscape with rolling patchwork hills, a stile and all of the various props (and cake displays!) that you would expect. My one and only criticism of this production are the laborious scene changes which would have benefited from some fine tuning and polishing.

The staging and direction by Sally Hughes, who is also the Managing Director and Artistic Director at The Mill, must be applauded and commended for this production. The Mill itself is a perfect venue – warm, welcoming and full of character and charm. It is the ideal space to stage Calendar Girls. Along with a rather delicious pre-show meal included in your ticket price, The Mill at Sonning is incredibly unique and we would whole heartedly recommend you to see this show. The Mill at Sonning has always had a great reputation so if you hurry, you might just get to see The Mill at Sonning in their rightful position – at the top of their game.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Ryan Bishop

Calendar Girls plays at The Mill at Sonning until 1 June, with further info here.