Calendar Girls

Based on the Miramax motion picture by Juliette Towhidi and Tim Firth

Thursday 23rd April to Saturday 2nd May 2026

Directed by Angie McKeown

AuthorsJuliette Towhidi & Tim Firth

Juliette Towhidi and Tim Firth co-wrote the screenplay for the original film of Calendar Girls (2003). Tom Firth went on to adapt this for the stage.

Juliette Towhidi is a screenwriter who also wrote the screenplays for Testament of Youth (2014) and Love, Rosie (2014) as well as episodes of the TV series Death Comes to Pemberley (2013) and The Essex Serpent (2022).

Tim Firth's theatre credits include Greatest Days, Now Is Good (UK Theatre nomination best musical) This Is My Family (Sheffield Crucible, UK Theatre Award Best New Musical), Neville's Island (Nottingham Playhouse and West End, Evening Standard & Olivier nomination, MEN Award), The Safari Party (Stephen Joseph, Scarborough and Hampstead), the musical Our House (West End, Olivier Award Best Musical), The Flint Street Nativity (Liverpool Playhouse) and Sign of the Times (UK tour and West End). His play Calendar Girls (Chichester Festival Theatre, West End) broke all British records for a professional and amateur play, was nominated for an Olivier and won the Whatsonstage Best Comedy Award. Calendar Girls – The Musical, co-written with Gary Barlow, opened at Leeds Opera House and transferred to the Phoenix Theatre in the West End, winning a Whatsonstage Award and an Olivier nomination. His musical The Band opened its national tour in the UK, winning the MEN best Musical award, before transferring to the Haymarket Theatre.

Tim’s film credits include Blackball, Calendar Girls (British Comedy Award), Kinky Boots (Best International Film, Florida FF)and The Wedding Video. Tim’s most recent film, Greatest Days, was released in 2023.

Recent work for television includes the Playhouse drama Timeless. His other TV credits include Money for Nothing (Writer’s Guild Award), The Rottentrolls (BAFTA Award), Cruise of the Gods, The Flint Street Nativity and Preston Front (Writer’s Guild Award, British Comedy Award, RTS Award, BAFTA nomination). In 2004 Tim developed a season of single comedy plays entitled Trapped. Most recently The Rottentrolls was voted one of the top 50 children’s shows of all time.

In 2019 a new production of This Is My Family starring Jimmy Nesbitt and Sheila Hancock opened at Chichester Festival Theatre, and a new all-female production of Neville’s Island, called Sheila's Island, was first performed in 2022.

PlayCalendar Girls

Get ready for laughter, tears, and a whole lot of Yorkshire charm as Calendar Girls takes center stage! Based on the true story that inspired a global phenomenon, this uplifting play follows a group of extraordinary women who dare to bare for a cause close to their hearts. When tragedy strikes, the ladies of the local Women’s Institute rally together to raise money in the most unconventional way—by creating a nude calendar that celebrates friendship, courage, and the power of community.

With wit, warmth, and a touch of cheeky rebellion, Calendar Girls is a celebration of everyday heroes who prove that age is just a number and bravery comes in all forms. Whether you're coming for the comedy or staying for the heartfelt moments, this is one show you won’t want to miss.

This amateur production of Calendar Girls is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd, www.concordtheatricals.co.uk

The Bench Production

Calendar Girls

This play was staged at The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre (formerly Havant Arts Centre), East Street Havant - Bench Theatre's home since 1977.

Cast

Chris Paula Bartlett
Rod Rob Bartlett
Annie Nicola Wootton
John Andy Thomas
Jessie Lauren Farnhill
Cora Katie Watson
Marie Kia Wilson
Celia Phillippa Riddoch
Ruth Lorraine Stone
Lady Cravenshire Emma Jewitt
Brenda Hulse Rachael Wilkie
Lawrence Jack Sweet
Elaine Tas Halford
Lia Ria Basford

Production Team

Directors Angie McKeown
Producer Jacquie Penrose
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Programme Editor Derek Callam
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Director's Notes

Production Photographs