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The Girls 2017

Opened: February 21, 2017
Closing: August 03, 2017

The Girls - 2017 - West End History , Info & More

Phoenix Theatre
(Tottenham Court Road) Charing Cross Road London

The Girls, a new musical by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth based on the 2003 film Calendar Girls, is set to begin performances at the West End's Phoenix Theatre January 28, 2017, prior to an official opening February 21.

The movie was previously adapted for the stage in a straight-play version that premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2008 and subsequently transferred to the West End.

The musical is based on the true story of a group of ladies, who decide to appear nude for a Women's Institute calendar in order to raise funds to buy a settee for their local hospital, in memory of one of their husbands, and have to date raised over £4 million for Bloodwise.

As in the film and the play version, both also scripted by Firth, this musical comedy shows life in their Yorkshire village, how it happened, the effect on husbands, sons and daughters, and how a group of ordinary ladies achieved something extraordinary.

The musical had two sold-out runs at the Grand Theatre Leeds and the Lowry Salford in late 2015-early 2016.

The “Girls” will be played by Debbie Chazen as Ruth, Sophie-Louse Dann as Celia, Michele Dotrice as Jessie, Claire Machin as Cora, Claire Moore as Chris and Joanna Riding as Annie.

Also in the cast will be Joe Caffrey as Rod, Jeremy Clyde as Denis, John Davitt as Doctor, Soo Drouet as Brenda, James Gaddas as John, Jenny Gayner as Miss Wilson (coffee), Steve Giles as Lawrence, Maxwell Hutcheon as Colin, Shirley Jameson as Miss Wilson (tea), Marian McLoughlin as Marie, Judith Street as Lady Cravenshire and Jane Lambert, Rebecca Lewis, Victoria Blackburn and Frazer Hadfield, and introducing Josh Benson as Tommo, Ben Hunter as Danny and Chloe May Jackson as Jenny.

Barlow and Firth grew up in the same village in the north of England and have been friends for 25 years. With Take That, Barlow has written and co-written 14 number one singles, has sold over 50 million records worldwide and is a six-time Ivor Novello Award winner. He was recently represented on Broadway by his score for Finding Neverland.

Firth has won the Olivier Award and UK Theatre Award for Best New Musical for Our House, and the British Comedy Awards Best Comedy Film for Calendar Girls. His other plays include Neville's Island.

The musical will be directed by Firth, with musical staging by Lizzi Gee, comedy staging by Jos Houben, design by Robert Jones, lighting design by Tim Lutkin, sound design by Terry Jardine and Nick Lidster, musical direction and orchestrations by Richard Beadle, with casting by Sarah Bird.

The musical will be produced by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and The Shubert Organization, with U-Live as associate producer.

Bloodwise, the U.K.'s specialist blood cancer charity, will receive monies from this production.


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Casting Announced for Barlow & Firth's THE GIRLS 2018 UK National Tour
by A.A. Cristi - January 18, 2018


David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers, the producers of Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's new musical comedy, The Girls, based on the true story, the film and the award-winning play by Tim Firth, Calendar Girls, have announced that the production will return home to Yorkshire and open at the Leeds Grand Theatre on 15 August 2018 and visit 42 theatres across the United Kingdom.

Barlow & Firth's THE GIRLS to Hit the Road in 2018
by BWW News Desk - May 26, 2017


David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers, the producers of Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's new musical comedy, The Girls, based on the true story, the film and the award-winning play by Tim Firth, Calendar Girls, have announced that the production will return home to Yorkshire and open at the Leeds Grand Theatre on 15 August 2018 and visit 42 theatres across the United Kingdom.

TV: Getting Saucy for a Good Cause! Watch Highlights from Gary Barlow & Tim Firth's THE GIRLS
by BroadwayWorld TV - April 28, 2017


Below, check out the new trailer featuring highlights from Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's new British musical, THE GIRLS, which is currently booking until 15 July 2017 at the Phoenix Theatre!

STAGE TUBE: Go Inside Opening Night of THE GIRLS with a Special Performance by Gary Barlow
by Marissa Sblendorio - February 24, 2017


THE GIRLS, based on the true story, the film and the award-winning play by Tim Firth, Calendar Girls, opened on Tuesday 21 February, at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End, where it had previewed from 28 January 2017. The West End premiere follows sold-out runs at the Grand Theatre Leeds and the Lowry Salford late 2015/early 2016. 

Photo Flash: Inside Opening Night of Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's THE GIRLS at Phoenix Theatre
by BWW News Desk - February 22, 2017


THE GIRLS, based on the true story, the film and the award-winning play byTim Firth, Calendar Girls, opened last night, Tuesday 21 February, at thePhoenix Theatre in London's West End, where it had previewed from 28 January 2017.

Review Roundup: Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's THE GIRLS at Phoenix Theatre
by Review Roundups - February 22, 2017


THE GIRLS, based on the true story, the film and the award-winning play by Tim Firth, Calendar Girls, opened last night, Tuesday 21 February, at the Phoenix Theatre in London's West End, where it had previewed from 28 January 2017.

Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's THE GIRLS Extends Booking Period to July
by BWW News Desk - February 22, 2017


???????From Monday 27 February, the booking period for Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's award-winning new British musical, THE GIRLS, will extend to 15 July 2017.  A Tuesday matinee will be introduced from 25 April.

BWW Review: THE GIRLS, Phoenix Theatre
by Marianka Swain - February 22, 2017


Tim Firth can't keep away from the Calendar Girls. Following the 2003 film and 2008 play, he's back again adapting the real-life story of Yorkshire WI heroines stripping off for a charity calendar after one of their number loses her husband to cancer - this time in a musical adaptation with Gary Barlow.

Photo Flash: Inside the Bloodwise Gala Night of Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's New Musical THE GIRLS
by BWW News Desk - February 21, 2017


Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's new British musical, The Girls, based on the true story, the film and the award-winning play by Tim Firth, Calendar Girls, opened in London's West End at the Phoenix Theatre. The West End premiere follows sold-out runs at the Grand Theatre Leeds and the Lowry Salford late 2015/early 2016. In the West End, the producers have made a commitment to there being no 'premium-rated' seats, no booking fees and reduced price previews.

TV: On the Green Carpet Opening of THE GIRLS
by BroadwayWorld TV - February 21, 2017


Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's new British musical, THE GIRLS, based on the true story, the film and the award-winning play by Tim Firth, Calendar Girls, opened in London's West End at the Phoenix Theatre. The West End premiere follows sold-out runs at the Grand Theatre Leeds and the Lowry Salford late 2015/early 2016. In the West End, the producers have made a commitment to there being no 'premium-rated' seats, no booking fees and reduced price previews.

Photo Flash: Gary Barlow & More at THE GIRLS Gala Opening
by Marianka Swain - February 21, 2017


Last night, Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's new musical THE GIRLS held a gala opening night in aid of charity Bloodwise. Guests at the Phoenix Theatre in the West End included Phillip Schofield, Michael Ball, Graham Norton, Mel Giedroyc and Sian Phillips.

Photo Flash: First Look at Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's New Musical THE GIRLS
by BWW News Desk - February 20, 2017


Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's new British musical, THE GIRLS, based on the true story, the film and the award-winning play by Tim Firth, Calendar Girls, will open in London's West End at the Phoenix Theatre tomorrow, 21 February . The West End premiere follows sold-out runs at the Grand Theatre Leeds and the Lowry Salford late 2015/early 2016.

67 Year-Old Understudy Makes West End Debut in Leading Role in Gary Barlow & Tim Firth's THE GIRLS
by BWW News Desk - February 17, 2017


In spite of intensive medical treatment, Michele Dotrice, who has never missed a performance in her entire career, has been diagnosed with acute bronchitis and therefore unable to perform for the time being.  The part of Jessie in Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's new British musical, THE GIRLS, will now be played by Judith Street, who at 67 is making her West End debut in a leading role.  For her, this is a dream come true.

NHS Nurses Offered Free Tickets to Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's THE GIRLS
by BWW News Desk - January 20, 2017


Gary Barlow and Tim Firth are offering nurses free seats to see the Dress Rehearsal of their new musical comedy THE GIRLS at the Phoenix Theatre in London on Saturday 28 January at 2.30pm

BWW Interview: Actress Claire Machin Talks THE GIRLS Ahead of West End Opening
by Marianka Swain - January 20, 2017


Actress Claire Machin's numerous West End credits include Memphis, The Pajama Game, Betty Blue Eyes and Les Miserables. She's currently starring in Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's new musical version of the Calendar Girls story, based on the real life story of a group of WI members creating a memorable charity calendar. The Girls, which debuted at the Grand Theatre in Leeds last year, begins its West End run at the Phoenix Theatre later this month.

Photo Flash: First Look at Rehearsal Photos for Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's New British Musical, THE GIRLS
by BWW News Desk - January 19, 2017


Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's new British musical, THE GIRLS, based on the true story, the film and the award-winning play by Tim Firth, Calendar Girls, will open in London's West End at the Phoenix Theatre, with performances from 28 January 2017.

STAGE TUBE: Watch Gary Barlow and the Cast of THE GIRLS Perform "Sunflower"
by A.A. Cristi - January 3, 2017


Watch Gary Barlow and the cast of The Girls in the recording studio perform the song 'Sunflowers' from Gary Barlow and Tim Firth's musical The Girls.

The Girls History

Other Productions of The Girls

2017   West End West End New Musical
West End

The Girls - 2017 West End Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2017 Olivier Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical Ben Hunter
2017 Olivier Awards Best Actress in a Musical Debbie Chazen

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