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Calendar girl play reveals true courage

Tari JeffersManjimup-Bridgetown Times
Annie, Chris, Celia, Jessie and Cora, played by Sarah Macknight, Meegan Cullen, Mandy Rothery, Genevieve Gyani and Sharon Edward, toast to their calendar.
Camera IconAnnie, Chris, Celia, Jessie and Cora, played by Sarah Macknight, Meegan Cullen, Mandy Rothery, Genevieve Gyani and Sharon Edward, toast to their calendar. Credit: Manjimup-Bridgetown Times

It takes a lot of courage to perform in a theatre production, so it must be even more courageous to appear nude.

Bridgetown Repertory Theatre presented six such women at the weekend as part of the theatre’s production of Calendar Girls.

The production follows the lives of six women in a Women’s Institute in Yorkshire, England, as they prepare and then live with the results of creating a nude calendar to raise money for leukaemia.

After the death of Annie’s (Sarah Macknight) husband, she and her friends Chris (Meegan Cullen), Cora (Sharon Edward), Celia (Mandy Rothery), Ruth (Barbara Waller) and Jessie (Genevieve Gyani) star in a tasteful nude calendar to raise money for a settee in the hospital where Annie’s husband was treated.

Annie and John, played by Sarah Macknight and Mark Moscarda.
Camera IconAnnie and John, played by Sarah Macknight and Mark Moscarda. Credit: Manjimup-Bridgetown Times

Throughout the lead up, performing and consequences of the nude calendar, the audience watches the ladies deal with how their new found fame impacts on their lives.

Yes, each of the six main characters appear in the nude on stage during the production, however, each lady is positioned as she appears in the calendar — her private areas tastefully hidden by items representing aspects of the Women’s Institute, such as flowers, music, and baked goods.

All six of the ladies who appeared nude on stage need to be recognised for the bravery they displayed in doing so.

Cora, played by Sharon Edward.
Camera IconCora, played by Sharon Edward. Credit: Tari Jeffers

Each of them received applause during their nudity reveals for the recognition they so rightfully deserve.

The six main characters had great chemistry together and worked well together on stage.

Calendar Girls is still on this weekend and will be performed for four more shows across Thursday through Sunday.

Elaine, played by Billie Vanderspil, is unaware of the scathing comments about to be unleashed on her.
Camera IconElaine, played by Billie Vanderspil, is unaware of the scathing comments about to be unleashed on her. Credit: Manjimup-Bridgetown Times

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