Calendar Girls
★★★★☆ Heart-warming
Inverleith St Serf’s Church Centre (Venue #): Sat 2 Aug – Sat 16 Aug (excluding Sundays)
Review by Flora Henderson
Calendar Girls at Inverleith St Serf’s Church Centre for two weeks is a heart-warming, feel-good comedy, competently staged by Leiththeatre who have been putting on productions for almost eighty years now.
Based on a true story, Tim Firth’s play is set in the church hall of the fictional village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales and follows the activities of its Women’s Institute. Tired of renditions of ‘Jerusalem’ and talks on broccoli, the WI members decide to take things into their own hands, creating an ‘alternative’ calendar to raise money for the local hospital.
The Calendar Girls Yoga session. Pic Leitheatre
The actors portraying the women of the WI establish strong individual characters whilst maintaining the show’s ensemble feel. Phil Wilson’s clear direction ensures that each one finds her own voice, while the collection of somewhat mismatched personalities creates a charming vignette of small-town life.
Susan Duffy is naturally funny as Chris, the driving force behind the calendar scheme. She commands the stage, keeping the energy up with Tai Chi demonstrations and a strong rapport with Ruth McClaren as Annie.
playful chemistry
Whilst McClaren’s Yorkshire accent tends to waver in moments of high emotion, Duffy’s is consistent throughout, creating a thoroughly believable character. This is complemented by Lee Shedden’s portrayal of Rod – the two have a playful chemistry in their depiction of husband and wife.
A scene from Calendar Girls. Pic Leitheatre
The tale of Annie and John’s (Dougie Arbuckle) relationship adds tenderness and allows for the exploration of the play’s themes of love and loss. This is expanded through Jennie Davidson’s portrayal of Cora, who is experiencing a different kind of grief after losing touch with her daughter’s father.
finding her strength
Completing the core membership of the WI are Alison Kennedy as Jessie, Sandi Ferry Martin as Celia, and Laura Thomson as Ruth. Ruth goes from sucking up to Marie (Lynne Morris), the group’s chairwoman, to finding her strength, getting the audience rooting for her as she finds her feet in both her platonic and romantic relationships.
A scene from Calendar Girls. Pic Leitheatre
Stephen Hajducki and Derek Blackwood’s set is an effective one, providing small touches to mark the shifts in season, and larger changes for the rare moments of relocation. This is enhanced by the musical interludes, with sound by Kit Lawson. However, the scene changes are slightly clunky, causing a dip in energy which doesn’t help with the piece’s overall pacing.
equally humorous and touching
Whilst the production is undoubtedly hilarious, with all actors bringing a unique comedic touch, the cast doesn’t just play it for laughs. Weaving in moments of poignancy and reflecting on the true meaning of friendship, they work together to construct a piece which is equally humorous and touching.
Running time: Two hours and 20 minutes (including one interval).
Inverleith St Serf’s Church Centre (Main Hall), 1A Clark Rd EH5 3BD (Venue 88).
Sat 2 – Sat 16 August 2025.
Mon-Fri 7.20pm; Sat: 2.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here on EdFringe.com.
Leitheatre website: www.leitheatre.com/
Facebook: @Leitheatre
Instagram: @leitheatre
X: @LeitheatreEdin
Cast and Crew of Calendar Girls. Pic: Leitheatre.
ENDS
