It’s not often that Leeds Grand Theatre rolls out the red carpet but when it does its Hollywood style with flashing camera, celebrities and crowds of fans hoping to catch a glimpse and maybe a selfie with their pop star hero.
Excitement had been bubbling for weeks and not without just cause. The Girls, a new musical based on Calendar Girls by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth was having its world premier not in the West End but in here in Leeds.
There had been previews, tweaking and re-setting all the usual West End build up to a premier and now press night had finally arrived and Yorkshire’s specially invited media were to be the first to experience it.
Barlow and Firth have been collaborating on the musical version of the inspiring story of the Rylstone and District W.I. who became a world-wide sensation when they stripped off for an alternative calendar to fund raise in memory of a friend, for over two years.
The film and play has delighted audiences for nearly a decade, but how would this almost iconic work transfer into a musical? Even Firth admits at first he thought there was little musical adaptation that could add to the story. But he changed his mind and the collaboration with Barlow began.
The Girls is a totally fresh take on the original story. The adding of family including husbands and children infuses the show with a new vitality. The new positioning of the photo-shoot scene making it the ultimate climax of the show is another brilliant move by Firth.
Yet despite the many changes the show still retains its pathos, hilarity and gritty Yorkshire humour and more important each of the “girls” stays true to her original character.
Firth and Barlow have assembled the crème de la crème of casts with exceptionally fine character acting from everyone including some fine cameo performances.
Roger Haines and Firth’s production moves with pace and attack amidst Robert Jones’s ingenious set of furniture portraying the Yorkshire green hills that turn into cupboards, doors and places to store props.
Barlow’s songs serve the narrative of the script exceptionally well with So I’ve Had a Little Work Done (Celia), My Russian Friend and I (Cora), Sunflower and of course the show stopper Yorkshire. Barlow believes there are some songs people will sing as they leave the theatre – well there is one that will stick in most Tykes mind – one that I keep singing the odd line from – Yorkshire
I am sure we will see The Girls back at The Grand but the show has to weather the West End. Doubtless there will be more tweaking and more adjustments made before it arrives there. But how will they take it? We’ll have to wait and see and perhaps keep an open mind under our flat caps here up north.
And a final word if you haven’t booked your seat for girls better hurry because it’s only on until 12th December before it transfers to the Lowery.