Calendar Girls the musical (was: The Girls)

That is a disgrace!!! A collective group for best actress? Bad

I've seen it. Its very poor. Do I have your permission to say such bad things about it. After all this is a place of opinions I believe

He is very good actually, I suppose no-one is mentioning him because the show is so heavily weighted towards the female cast (of which one, possibly two could be classed as a lead - hurrumph) that he could possibly be overlooked. When you look at the other nominees in that category, I'd say he's probably on a par with Ian Bartholomew in 'Half A Sixpence' - not a scene stealer like Adam J Bernard in 'Dreamgirls' but a solid part of the show and he gets a good amount of time on stage and moves the action along.

In the grand scheme of the show, his role is pretty minor. Was surprised to see him nominated not because of his performance but the actual scale of the role.

A good comparison actually. 

I saw this last night and enjoyed it but as this is page 65 of the thread I'll just make a few points.

First, re the Olivier Awards it's a shame they've made it a 6 actress thing because I think this is the best role and the best performance I have ever seen from Joanna Riding. Even though she shares the final bow with Claire Moore, Riding is clearly the leading lady and should have been treated that way. Her through line is the show's through line, she is the emotional centre. Her 11 o'clock number, Kilimanjaro, is the best and most powerful moment of the show.

It's a cliché to say that a show has "heart" but this one really does and it's not manufactured. The spirit of the piece is fully captured without being overdone. The cancer plot is expertly handled, never descending into sentimentality. The calendar business is well set up and perfectly developed. The second act works like a charm. It's a very good book.

Almost everyone onstage is a unique character, even the ones who drop in and out. Cliches are avoided. The kids are terrific. Everyone is, with the 6 ladies at the core of things individually and collectively brilliant. But...

What stops The Girls from being a great five star show is the score. If Gary Barlow has original, interesting music in him he's not showing it here. Every song feels generic, not in the lyrics which are often amazing (the above mentioned Kilimanjaro, e.g.) but in the melodic and harmonic content. No song captures the ear. I suppose the fact that these talented actresses are able to make so much of their numbers means that Barlow is doing something right - there are two or three genuine showstoppers. But, for me, at least, their success is all about the performances.

That aside, after some initial resistance, I did finally surrender to The Girls and found myself surprisingly invested in it. It could have been better (alas!) but it's pretty damn good as it stands. I truly hope it runs.

Saw the show again tonight and thoroughly enjoyed once more. The photo scene has got to be one of the funniest moments on stage at the moment.

Must say some of the changes from previews surprise me. I actually think the interval worked better where it was before. Also, they cut the reprise of "Dare" with them in the van which was one of the best moments when I first saw the show.

On a second viewing I can see why Ben was nominated. He has some great moments and certainly gets the laughs.

Stalls and dress circle were pretty full with upper circle closed.

I love Joanna and think she is my fav West End leading lady! Does she perform all eight shows each week?

I think we all agree the show is good but the music bad! At least FN has done decent songs in it.

I thought a couple of songs I've are decent, saying that I haven't seen it in the West End yet.

... will Gary be singing the parts of all The Girls?