A DRAMA group which has spent eight decades entertaining the community is celebrating its milestone year by presenting the stage adaption of Calendar Girls.

Rhyl Liberty Players was formed in 1942. 

Martin Gorst, director, said members are "thrilled" to mark the group's 80th anniversary and to reach "such a distinguished landmark in their history."

"They are thrilled they are able to celebrate it by doing what they do best and entertain audiences after three frustrating years in a pandemic wilderness," Martin said. 

"It's remarkable to think that in 1942, when the group was formed, clouds of war loomed over Europe, food was in short supply and the government announced that coal, gas and electricity were to be rationed. Over 250 productions later, how things have changed."

Martin became involved with Rhyl Liberty Players as a guest after moving to Wales in the late 80s.

He eventually joined the group 11 years ago.

"I've directed two previous plays for the company - A Government Inspector in 2013 and Wyrd Sisters, adapted from the Terry Pratchett novel, in 2017," Martin said.

"I also directed an entry in the Clwyd Community Theatre Association One-Act Play Festival in Summer 2021 at Theatr Clwyd in Mold, which won awards for Best Actress and Best Director."

Tim Firth's hilarious play Calendar Girls is based on the true story of 11 Women's Institute members who famously posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research.

Talking about why the play had been chosen, Martin said: "For our post-lockdown revival we thought it was important to attract audiences back to the theatre with a play that was well-known, popular, funny and entertaining, while still having an important message and a powerful emotional impact.

"Due to the performance licence becoming available, we were aware that groups all over the country were suddenly advertising the play, but the majority were doing the musical version.

"The original play is strikingly different in structure, however, and involves interesting technical and acting challenges, so we were very excited about exploring the possibilities it presented."

Prior to getting started, open auditions were held by the theatre company in an attempt to attract new members.

Martin said: "We were delighted at the response we received - in fact we could almost have cast the play twice over. Many of the excellent cast we have are therefore previously unknown to us and each other, but I've been thrilled how quickly they have bonded into an enthusiastic, hardworking and creative team of close, mutually supportive friends."

The hard-working cast are hoping for a packed house on opening night.

"We're confident the reputation of the original film is enough to interest audiences who aren't necessarily regular theatre-goers, as well as our regular loyal supporters," Martin said. 

"We're also highly impressed by the dedication of the staff and volunteers at the Little Theatre, who have worked tirelessly over the past couple of years to make significant improvements to the facilities, transforming it into a warm, welcoming and happy environment for performers and audiences alike.

"What endears me most to this hilarious, heartwarming and poignant story is that it's basically about friendship and self-discovery. We see this ordinary, disparate group of women facing their fear, insecurity, shame and loss with touching courage, wonderful humour and extraordinary fortitude, and ultimately prevailing thanks to the support, love and mutual respect of their WI ‘sisters’.

"I'm not generally the sort of director who needs to devise clever gimmicks to present a play in a 'signature style'. My job is really to focus on the storytelling, the arc of the narrative and the dramatic tensions by drawing the very best, nuanced performances from the actors with sincerity and truth, helping the audience suspend disbelief and be immersed in the world of the play for a couple of magical hours.

"A cast with this level of commitment makes it so much easier."

Care is being taken to build the confidence of the cast ahead of stripping bare.

Martin added: "I've been careful to emphasise right from the first auditions that the calendar sequence will be very precisely choreographed so that everything is left very much to the imagination and concealed with artful, cheeky wit and flair.

"The actors can be confident nothing is revealed unintentionally while still creating a hugely entertaining, tantalising spectacle.

"They will hopefully trust my judgement."

Calendar Girls will run at 7.30pm from Thursday, November 10 until Saturday, November 12 at Rhyl Little Theatre. Tickets are available from www.rhyllittletheatre.co.uk or by telephoning 01745 342229.

An 80th Anniversary celebration party is also being organised for all members past and present. For more details about Rhyl Liberty Players and about joing the the group, click here.

The group was founded in 1942 when the country was fighting for its liberty, hence the name.