‘We’re Going to Need Considerably Bigger Buns!…’ The Girls, Phoenix Theatre, London. 19.05.2017

In the beginning of April I was sent an e-mail from TheatreDeals with an offer that caught my eye. It has only recently opened in the West End, so I was surprised to see this show on offer – to some this is a bad sign in the West End World. Nevertheless I snapped at the chance to get tickets, as it was on my list to see. I also knew who would be more than happy to join me on my view as Jess had already mentioned it was one she would love to see. So we within a half hour tickets were purchased and on a Friday evening it was off to the London for tonight’s viewing at the Phoenix Theatre!

The Girls is a musical Comedy based on the Feel-good 2003 film The Calendar Girls which starred Helen Mirren and Julie Walters. The musical itself was written by the same screen-writer of the film Tim Firth, and Take That icon Gary Barlow. Based on a true story, It tells the tale of best friends Chris Harper and Annie Clarke. both members of the charitable Rylstone Women’s Institute in North Yorkshire. After Annie’s husband John sadly succumbs to leukaemia, the friends are motivated to take some action in the form of raising money for a new Sofa for the family room in the cancer ward in the local hospital. They convince the group to craft a tastefully nude calendar featuring the usual ladies’ activities of gardening and baking, as photographed by the young amateur Lawrence. Despite the disapproval of the Institute’s leader Marie, the calendar quickly becomes a best-seller and leads to more than the girls expected.

We took our seats not knowing what to suspect. We were based in the Grand Circle tonight Row C seats 9 and 10 at the price of £32.50 (face value £49.50 – Thanks Theatre Deal), I had already sat in the grand circle before and knew that our view would be fine having seen Guys and Dolls from the Grand Circle last year. As it is a smaller venue, the whole stage could be viewed, with faces (and cheeks…) visible also. I would recommend these seats for these theatres only negative is the leg room is quite limited!

The best thing about this musical is it focuses a lot more on the music, and story, rather than the usual break out into song and dance with the glitz and glamour like some of the musicals on the West End – and that’s not to say its a bad thing! But with such a beautiful story, it compliments it very well. I also loved that each one of the girls had their story, or song to show given them each a moment in the light – as well as a lesson to learn. Such as Jessie stating that age is just a number not a restriction, Cora showing that you need to have a little fun now and then (or a Christmas boogie!). Without a doubt each one of those stories the ladies told would have reflected on many of the audience members, especially the main story line. Its warming to watch and true to the film, complimenting it fantastically. Along with the beautiful songs by Gary Barlow it is such a feel good musical that’s hard to fault.

The Cast Tonight had a few understudies – but that is not an issue for me!

Ruth – Debbie Chazen

Celia – Rebecca Louis (Understudy)

Jessie – Michele Dotrice

Cora – Claire Machin

Marie – Marian McLoughlin

Chris – Claire Moore

Annie – Joanna Riding

Tommo – Josh Benson

Rod – Joe Caffery

Brenda – Soo Drouet

John – Steve Giles (Understudy)

Lawrence -John Davitt (Understudy)

Miss Wilson – Jenny Gayner

Danny- Ben Hunter

Colin – Maxwell Hutcheon

Jenny – Chloe May Jameson

Miss Wilson – Shirley Jameson

This would be the first time I have seen all of these performers, another great thing about this musical is they are a wide range of ages and fully display the love and fun of being on stage.

Best friends Annie and Chris played by Joanna Riding and Claire Moore were excellent in their roles with their friendship displayed throughout. Joanna’s emotions shone throughout, and her voice has a warming yet powerful tone which shone through her solo numbers. Claire was also great to watch, with a full of life mother – much to Danny’s embarrassment at times, who stands by her friend throughout. She defiantly took Helen Mirren’s characteristics to influence her on the role, but yet still managed to make it her own. She was also the first to display all.

Now to the other Girls of the show, to which I totally respect them and congratulate them on their confidence. For they are the ones along with Joanna and Claire who dares to bare all! With no hesitation or nerves holding them back, but love for their body and what they are doing! Cora played by Claire Machin has great comic moments as the ‘innocent’ single mum to Tommo, her number ‘Who wants a Silent Night’ was one of the best songs in the night, with her busting a move like no other. Michele Dotrice’s Jessie really did show that age is just a number, proving that you are only as old as you feel which shouldn’t stop you from joining in the fun with your friends. I can only hope I am like her when I am that old, or rather I plan to be! The character I loved the most was Ruth, with such a strong story of a wife who hides the fact that her marriage is not at his best. Debbie’s take on the role was perfect, she displayed the emotions but yet also when finally she decides she deserves better (with a help of a ‘Russian friend’) it was great to watch her confidence shine, and the audience cheered her on when she posed for her July, sorry November photo!

Along with the Girls thought there is a wide range of characters, the kids on the stage Danny, Tommo and Jenny (a only new addition to the story) played by Ben, Josh, and Chloe had great moments on the stage. The moments that we can all relate to when we were younger, with friendships and emotions driving us, but also how we can all be embarrassed by our parents and still love them no matter what!

This musical is one for all ages, it would be perfect though for a mum and dad date night, or family outing that would be hard to disappoint – making you chuckle throughout – especially at towards the end of Act 2. It sadly however has announced that it will be closing after its 6 month run on the 12th July 2017. Its sad to hear as so many of these new musicals are not gaining the respect they rightly deserved from the public, even with the fantastic reviews. I am so glad I managed to see it before it goes. I have heard however that it is going to tour in 2018, so I may just get the chance to see it again in the near future. I won’t hesitate to say yes. So I highly recommend that you try and catch this beautiful musical before it says goodbye! For further information visit the website here.