A HUGE thank you

A few weeks ago I went with hubby Ken and one of our own calendar girls, Vicky, to see the touring production of Calendar Girls at Derby Assembly Rooms. As a group we'd all been to see the same production last July as our director John had wanted to get our confirmation that we were all game to do this production next March. It really is a wonderful production and I'd forgotten just how hilariously funny it is but has the ability to take you from laughter to poignancy in a heartbeat.

During one of our coffee meetings Elaine had posed the question did we think that if we put together a poster we could get the professional cast of Calendar Girls to sign it for us so that we could raffle it to make a little more money for the charity? Well my thoughts were that, if you don't ask, you don't get. So we put together a poster with a picture of our "robed" Calendar girls and at the last minute I decided to enclose one of our Calendars too, just so that hopefully they would see what a professional job we'd done and that the cast would sign it.

So, on the night we went to see the show I left the posters and calendar with the front of house staff and kept everything crossed. On the last night of the tour I received a phone call from the Tour Manager to say that the cast had indeed signed the poster, I was delighted. So my dear hubby tootled off to the Assembly Rooms to collect the envelope. What a great bunch the cast were! Not only did they sign the posters but they signed our calendar too! Such a wonderful surprise and we are truly appreciative of that gesture. So, at some point in the not too distant future we will indeed be raffling off now, not only a signed poster but also a signed copy of our calendar, now surely that has to be worth buying a ticket for.

We have so many events coming up in the near future so please keep checking the blog and spread the word.

How to be a calendar girl (or boy)

In Burton shop windows you will have seen lots of posters displayed for the touring professional production of the play Calendar Girls which comes to Derby in September - details and how to book are here.

We saw this cast perform the play in Nottingham last year and we can thoroughly recommend their version. A few people have glanced at the posters and asked if it was OUR show. We don't take to the stage at The Brewhouse until March - but you'll be able to read all about our show and its rehearsals on this blog nearer the time.

Anyway, to promote the Derby production - which takes place between September 24-29 at The Assembly Rooms - Derby Live is running a competition encouraging daring theatregoers to get their kit off and strike a Calendar Girls-style pose.

If you want to take part, you need to send your entry to: Be A Calendar Girl or Boy Competition, Derby Live, Assembly Rooms, Market Place, Derby, DE1 3AH with your full name and contact numbers before the closing date of Fri 7 Sep.

Derby Live will then judge all the entries and pick four favourites as finalists. Those finalists will then be invited to see the show on Mon 24 Sep, where, along with a guest of their choice. They will meet the cast backstage afterwards. The ultimate winner will take home £50 worth of credit to use at Derby LIVE shows and events - oh and they might just be featured in the Derby Telegraph too.

There's more about the competition here on the Derby Live website.

Go on! Be brave! We can tell you from experience that it's great fun.

The touring company is coming to Derby

If you've never seen the professional production of Calendar girls then you're in for a treat, it's coming to Derby in September this year. Many of us in the Little Theatre Company went to see this production last year at Nottingham and it's a stellar cast and one not to be missed. Check out Derby Live for full dates and prices.

Calendar Girls by Tim Firth

The global phenomenon comes to Derby

Calendar Girls has been the fastest selling tour ever and has triumphed in the West End. Now, it's coming to Derby starring Lesley Joseph as Miss October, Sue Holderness as Miss February, Ruth Madoc as Miss March, Kathryn Rooney as Miss September, Camilla Dallerup as Miss May, Helen Fraser as Miss January, Deena Payne as Miss July and Kacey Ainsworth as Miss November, with Kevin Sacre as Lawrence the photographer
A group of ordinary women do something extraordinary and spark a global phenomenon when they persuade one another to pose for a charity calendar with a difference! Based on an inspiring true story and the smash hit film, Calendar Girls is quirky, poignant and hilarious. Calendar Girls has sold out in every theatre it's visited before opening. Don't miss out and book today for the show the Mail on Sunday said is "marvellous theatre, guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and come out singing Jerusalem!"
"A show I could see over and over again - and I hope I will!" Sir Cliff Richard
"Lots of laughs and a few tears. This show should be on everyone's calendar" June Whitfield CBE
"Funny, charming and a touching tribute to the fundraising efforts of a group of extraordinary, ordinary women" Ian Hislop

Great Hall

Monday 24 September to Saturday 29 September

7.30pm, Wed & Sat Matinee 2.30pm

Tickets: £15.25 - £28.25. Mon–Thu evening/Sat Mat £17.25–£26.25, Fri & Sat evening £19.25–£28.25, Wed Mat £15.25–£23.25

Concessions: Tickets cost more when booked via telephone or in person at box office. See our Ts & Cs for details.

Book now