THE NEWCASTLE Glees
are currently rehearsing for
what may be their most
emotional performance yet.
The new show is ‘Calendar Girls’, a
musical based on the true story of a
group of older ladies who strip off for a
Women’s Institute calendar in order to
raise money for charity.
The principal cast includes Emma
Nugent as Chris, Emma Jane
McKnight as Annie, Orla Russell as
Ruth, Suzanne Smyth as Cecilia,
Susan Lenaghan as Jessie and Fiona
Keegan as Cora.
The show’s production team is
director Laura Kerr, musical director
Mark Tilly and Claire Donnelly is the
choreographer.
True story
Orla Russell is from Bryansford and
has appeared in nine shows with the
Glees, including performing as Sister
Mary Lazars in ‘Sister Act’, and more
recently she was the lead character in
‘Made in Dagenham’, Rita O’Grady.
“I won’t forget that show in a
hurry,” Orla said.
“The fact that it was a true story
was one of the reasons that made it so
special.
“It reminds me so much of
‘Calendar Girls’. They are both
inspiring true stories.
“It will definitely take you on an
emotional rollercoaster. You will be
guaranteed to be laughing and there is
a high chance that you will be crying
too. It is such a really powerful story.”
She explained exactly why the show
feels even more important this year.
“I think this year, knowing that we
are fundraising for Friends of the
Cancer Centre charity, makes it that
wee bit more special.
“Unfortunately, cancer affects a lot
of people and a lot of families, so I
know that a lot of people in the
audience will find that this story will
hit home and it will be emotional for
them.
“Knowing that we are doing
something worthwhile while we are
getting up to all sorts on stage does
really make it special.”
The story of ‘Calendar Girls’ will be
familiar to some, as the musical is
based on the 2003 film, which was
based on a true story.
The music was written by Gary
Barlow and the lyrics are by Gary
Barlow and Tim Firth.
Heartwarming
Suzanne Smyth, who is from
Newcastle, plays the part of Cecilia.
She explained what the show is
about.
“It is a heartwarming and, at times,
heartbreaking true story,” Suzanne
said.
“The story follows six friends with
Women’s Institute roots on their
journey through navigating the roller
coaster of life.
“Unfortunately Annie’s husband
receives a cancer diagnosis and the
story follows him navigating that
treatment, which unfortunately is
short-lived.
“During the course of the
attendance at the hospital he and
Annie become friendly with a porter in
the hospital called Laurence.
“They discover he is a really
talented photographer, which in turn
sparks a lightbulb of why don’t they try
to do some fundraising by way of a
nude calendar.
“Naturally the girls take some
convincing, but they do eventually
agree to it, because of the cause.
Needless to say, the scenes are
hilarious to say the least.
“The girls press on with it and
become such a success.”
Hilarious
Fiona Keegan, who is from Belfast,
plays the part of Cora.
She said the musical has a lot of
depth.
“Really the story is about loss and
tragedy, but it is also about friendship,
bravery and support.
“It’s about how her five friends rally
around her and support her in her
darkest hours, but they also come up
with an idea of how to raise money for
the cancer centre where John, Annie’s
husband, has passed away.
“It is wonderful that this is based on
a true story of women who rallied
round their friend after the loss of her
husband.
“Whilst it is a sad and true story it is
also really hilarious in parts.
“It is about the women coming
together to raise money, they think
they are going to raise money for a
settee, but they end up raising enough
money to add a wing to the cancer
centre.”
Naked
The challenge for the six actresses
is that the parts demand participating
in the nude photo shoot as it is a key
aspect of the story.
Fiona explained how they are
feeling about that part of the show.
“I think the very fact that us six
ladies are brave enough and are
supporting each other on stage to get
bare.
“We are hoping that the audience
will be with us every step of the way,
supporting us and encouraging us to
that final jump; we dare to actually
pose for the naked calendar at the end
of the show.
“It is really good fun and very
tastefully done of course but we are all
really looking forward to the challenge
and more so we are looking forward to
the audience living the story with us.”
She added that the challenge of
playing a part of ladies who undress
for a photoshoot is made easier
because of the cause.
“This terrible disease can come to
any of us, to any of our loved ones. but
together, through projects like this we
can raise even more money to go
towards a cure for this terrible
disease.”
The Glees will donate a percentage
of all sales to the Friends of the
Cancer Centre.
Susan Lenaghan is playing the role
of Jessie.
She has been with the Glees since
2019. She joined because they were
performing ‘Sister Act’ and she
wanted to be part of that and has
stayed on ever since.
This new show will be special for
her.
“I am really looking forward to my
first experience in a principal role on
the stage,” she said.
“It is going to be a very special
show.
“The rehearsals are going really
well. So far so good.”
Bonding
Emma Jane McKnight has been a
member of the Glees for 11 years and
has played a string of roles, from Miss
Dorothy from ‘Thoroughly Modern
Millie’, right up to more recently
Penelope Pennywise in ‘Urinetown’.
She plays the part of Annie. She
admits some trepidation about the
nude scene but she pointed out that it
is a pleasure to be part of the Glees.
“I am excited about playing Annie
and working with the lovely ladies on
this project.
“Our six calendar girls are having
our best time bonding through these
sessions together.
“Given the storyline of the show, we
all have special moments and
memories to share together. Including
our collective trepidation about a
certain scene within the show.”
She also pointed out that theme of
the show is an important one.
“I really love this show. It really
shows how even in the face of deep
despair that we can grow like the
sunflowers so dear to Annie and her
husband John and they come to bloom
with the help and support of our
friends and family.
“We have all been affected in some
way by cancer, either personally or
through family members. I have lost
three aunts and my mum to this
horrible disease.”
Personal connection
Emma Nugent is the chairperson of
the Newcastle Glees and has been a
member for 30 years.
She plays the role of Chris in
‘Calendar Girls’.
She also has a personal connection
to the theme of the show.
“I will be dedicating my
performance to one of my closest
friends who is currently undergoing
treatment for cancer.
“With our partnership with Friends
of the Cancer Centre, I just hope that
together we can help raise as much
money as possible for anyone who is
having to go through this in their
lives.”
As chairperson, she said that tickets
are selling fast, and she is excited
about the show because it is a true
story.
“I have seen it three times before
and I was blown away by the story, not
only by the unforgettable songs, and
the clever humour and wit, but also by
the bravery and courage that the girls
had in every performance.
“The show is certainly one of a
kind.”
She added: “As chairperson I really
am so proud of the achievements of
the Glees over the years.”
The Newcastle Glees’ performance
of ‘Calendar Girls’ is being staged on
the 14th and 15th of March and also
from the 20th of March to the 23rd of
March.
The shows are at 7.30pm each night
at the Annesley Hall, Newcastle
(recommended viewing age 16+).
For tickets see
www.gr8events.ie/gleescalendargirls.
From every ticket sold, £1 will be
donated to Friends of the Cancer
Centre, along with other Newcastle
Glees’ fundraising initiatives, to help
them raise vital funds for the charity’s
important work.
