Original Calendar Girls planning another photoshoot with naked stars of Gary Barlow’s The Girls
Angela Baker, whose husband’s death sparked the initial pictures, is keen to team up with Barlow
THEIR effort in 1999 sparked an international sensation, a blockbuster film and, of course, a West End musical.
Now, 18 years on, the original Calendar Girls are planning another photoshoot.
Angela Baker, whose husband’s death sparked the initial pictures from the Women’s Institute that has raised almost £5million for Bloodwise, is keen to team up with the naked stars of GARY BARLOW’s The Girls.
Speaking at the gala night on Monday, Angela told me: “What would be really good, is a lot of people haven’t seen our original calendar.
“It is kind of an art, so we could release that.
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“And the actresses have said they are up for doing a photograph.”
They hope it will be sold as merchandise at London’s Phoenix Theatre, where the show is running.
Christine Clancy, from the first gang, said: “We would probably have a combination of our old photographs and photographs of the actresses who have come back to do it.
“That would be good to sell at the theatres.”
If the last one is anything to go by, it would fly off the shelves.
FIRST REVIEW: GIRLS, PHOENIX THEATRE
RATING: 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂
THERE are plenty of boobs, booties and even “front bums” in The Girls.
But even with all of that nudity, the body part most central to Yorkshire’s very own musical is heart . . . and plenty of it.
TIM FIRTH and GARY BARLOW’s West End version of the iconic British film Calendar Girls is a soaring, emotional and hilarious triumph.
Now, I have to admit I came into the show a complete novice, only vaguely aware of Angela Baker’s incredible WI group who stripped off in a fundraising effort in memory of her late husband.
But the excellent songs from Gary – who worked closely with Tim, writer of the film and the play that followed – capture the unique mix of sadness and joy that are so part of the incredible true story.
It is truly refreshing to see a stage filled with characters of all ages and body shapes. And while there are some fine performances from the male cast – especially exciting newcomer BEN HUNTER – the six female leads totally steal the spotlight.
The chemistry between the two best friends at the heart of the story, played by Claire Moore and Joanna Riding, is really touching.
Like the CAROLE KING musical Beautiful before it, The Girls has the potential to become a crossover success story.
Don’t feel you have to be a middle-aged woman to go – I was surrounded by blokes in tears and teens who were captured by the sub-storyline about young love.
It also establishes Gary as even more of a songwriting genius – with songs that should truly stand the test of time.