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Rockingham Theatre to reopen with Calendar Girls

Holly ThompsonSound Telegraph
Some of the cast of Calendar Girls rehearse.
Camera IconSome of the cast of Calendar Girls rehearse. Credit: Picture: Callon Leam

After keeping its curtains closed throughout last year due to COVID-19, the Rockingham Theatre has now reopened with Calendar Girls, directed by Alison Gibson.

The play is based on a true story of a Women’s Institute’s fundraising effort for a local hospital by posing nude for a calendar, which then becomes a media sensation.

Over the years the calendar has raised close to $10 million for cancer research.

The Rockingham Theatre Club had a large number of people who auditioned for the play, from regulars on stage through to some who had never acted before.

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From those auditions two casts were formed.

The cast and crew immediately connected, a relief given six appear naked on stage together.

Cecelia Scott, who plays Lady Cravenshire, said she never appreciated how hard the props and back stage crew worked to make the stage and actors look so good.

Emma del Pino, who plays Celia, said this was the first play she had performed in since living in Australia and hoped this would be the first of many.

The play deals with the themes of friendships, betrayal and grief, and is an emotional rollercoaster intended to get the audience crying and laughing throughout.

Most nights were already sold out prior to opening night, but some seats are still available. Bookings can be made at rtcrockingham.com.

Show dates are April 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23 and 24.

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