The current star cast of Calendar Girls has extended its run by two weeks, with the actresses, including Jerry Hall and June Brown, continuing to cover their modesty with a variety of WI-friendly props until 31 October.
The cast, which had originally been scheduled to play until 17 October, consists of Gemma Atkinson, Jill Baker, Brown, Richenda Carey, Sara Crowe, Anita Dobson, Jill Halfpenny, Hall and Jack Ryder.
Since opening in April of this year, Calendar Girls has reportedly broken all box office records for the Noël Coward theatre. With the £1.50 booking fee and a percentage of the merchandise sales and royalties also being donated to Leukaemia Research, the production has raised over £150,000 and has committed to continue to raise money for the charity as long as the show runs in the West End.
Calendar Girls was adapted by Tim Firth from his screenplay for the 2003 hit film starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters. Based on true events, the story centres on a group of WI members who, after the death of one of the group’s husbands, decide to raise money for Leukaemia Research by posing naked for their annual calendar. After the media hear of their story, the women are taken on an incredible journey from the Yorkshire peaks to the Hollywood hills as their friendships and loyalty are put to the test.
Currently booking until 23 January 2010, casting from November has yet to be announced.
CM