Calendar Girls the musical (was: The Girls)

How do you know this? On their Twitter at the moment it just says Tuesdays and to bring a friend

Saw this tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it. Came out humming the songs, and had a lot of smiles and a *lot* of laughs. I genuinely engaged with the characters, and thought the performances were all really good.

Wasn't necessarily expecting much from it, but really enjoyed my evening.

I thought her acting was incredibly strong, I found her very believeable and she really caught me emotionally. Singing-wise, there were some moments early on that I thought were a bit weak, and I was thinking that I would have loved to hear Joanna Riding sing Annie's solo in the first act - conversely, I thought she was then much better in the songs in the second act that gave her a chance to really sing out with some big notes.

Oooo Joanna doesn't sound great in that. Just me?

At the evening performance tonight - have been intrigued by it, like the clips I've seen and worked well as a Mothers Day present.
Sad to see that the Upper Circle was closed and Dress Circle was maybe half full, front if stalls looked full but don't know for further back - must have been a fair few upgrades.
It is sad because it's a really lovely feel good show. The comedy is excellent especially when there is some real emotional moments sewn alongside it. It's a show with real heart it got me involved, I was emotionally invested and came out on a real high. I would like to see it be around for a while but if tonight is a reflection on ticket sales I fear this may not be the case.
The songs I'm a bit indifferent about - some very catchy numbers and some instantly forgettable but they have there purpose and are entertaining.
Both Joanna Riding and Clare Moore off tonight but understudies were good - would like to see Joanna and Clare though. Cast are great and clearly love the piece they are in.
My Mum loved it and cried a river. Hope ticket sales pick up and the advertising does its job. Think it has been said before that some may see it as a show for women but really don't think this is the case. I just fear that in some financial hard times people especially tourists will go for the big well known shows with either names or songs they know. Really want it to find its audience, I for one would gladly go back.

Despite people's opinions on the actual show itself, I can't help but think that the 'brand' of Calendar Girls has been absolutely exhausted and that is why it's not appealing to the Public. My hunch is that this will announce closure for September.

I also went last night, and contrary to many, I absolutely loved and enjoyed it. I think what this musical offers is 'heart', I know it is a clichéd saying, but there really isn't much else like this on offer in the West End. In some ways I can semi identify why all ladies were Olivier nominated, but at the same time I definitely did feel like it was Chris and Annie with the others all equally supporting - I guess it would have been more controversial to nominate Joanna and Claire as a pair and then Michele, Sophie, Debbie and Claire together.
Moving toward the show, as I mentioned, it just offers warmth, positivity and empowerment, irrespective of gender. Many emotionally touching moments, but also a lot of humour, I especially loved Ben Hunter as Danny, he plays the awkwardness brilliantly, and is very well matched by Josh Benson as Tommo.
Joanna and Claire weren't on, instead Jenny Gayner and Shirley Jameseson. You really wouldn't have known they were understudies, both brilliant singers and actresses. Sophie Louise Dann was a particular highlight as the slutty snob Celia. I loved the realness of Debbie Chazen's Ruth, and the comedy of Claire Machin.
The music, again, I thought was really nice. When watching the Oliviers, I hadn't considered the emotive power of 'Yorkshire' until it is reprised. Watching Jenny as Annie at that moment was truly heartbreaking. But whilst only a couple of songs didn't stick in my head, I really do not care. Not every song in this show has to be big, catchy and belty to make an impact - Sophie Louis Dann's number definitely did, as did Michele Dotrice's and Sunflower - but rather sometimes a bit of simplicity helps capture emotion better. I would rather shed a tear than go out humming the tunes but wondering what I had been watching. For me, Scarborough is a perfect example of this, I can remember a recurring rhythm, but that's it. I do remember, however, being completely caught up in the lyrics.
What I think is so good about this show is that the characters are reflections of real identities. Single parent, an elderly woman, the role of alcohol, perceptions about figure, all issues which pertain society. The Girls, quite literally, challenge society's expectations about what is the appropriate action for women, for certain body sizes, for certain ages. That is what is so empowering.
I won't deny Act 2 could do with a bit more of a dramatic punch, I felt like a lot of that was used up in Act 1, that said I loved the story arch of Act 2.
I will be going back on Monday, hopefully with Joanna and Claire on, and I would hope with more seats sold. I was lucky, and I won't deny being slightly pleased to have been upgraded from a £15 grand circle seat to the front row of the dress. But having experienced the intimacy of the piece now, I would happily sit in the grand, and the cast really put their all into their characters and deserve to play to more than a half full stalls and dress.

What I found most concerning was that based on the ATG website about 100 grand circle seats were sold and about half the dress was sold. But even with upgrades to the dress, it barely looked half full. I know some seats are allocated to ticketing agencies etc., but were that few seats really sold? I am glad though that there was pretty much a full standing ovation.

People in the dress were actually leaving quite slowly last night, and no it wasn't the zimmer frames holding them back

Went again last night. Brilliant as it was the first time. Joanna and Claire were on - just perfect. They have a different vibe to Jenny and Shirley, who are also extremely impactful emotionally, so it's good to see the story is in safe hands regardless of who is on. Frazer Hadfield was on for Tommo, who was good but unsurprisingly lacked some of the charm that Josh Benson gives the character (although that would come with playing the character regularly). Sophie Louise Dann was brilliant again, as was Ben Hunter and Chloe as Jenny - Protect Me Less is definitely one of my favourite parts. I didn't mention the set last time I went, but I think it's perfect. It's simple, but unique and beautifully designed, and in no way detracts from the story.
Sadly for the box office I was upgraded again, from Grand Circle to Stalls this time. I was row L, and in the right hand block there was only two of us on the row. Backward from row L was very sparse, but generally the front half seemed more or less full. Didn't see the state of the Dress Circle. Gladly though there was another instant standing ovation, as deserved.

There are now £15 seats in the Upper Circle on all dates, and £29.50 front/side Stalls on weeknights.