The Ballindangan Players are returning to the stage once again to perform the fabulous award winning play ‘Calendar Girls’ from Friday, 14th April until Wednesday 19th at 8pm nightly.
The smash hit play is based on a true story which was adapted to film in 2003 by Tim Firth and is the tale of ladies of the Knapley branch of The Women’s Institute in Yorkshire who decide to pose nude for their own ‘alternative’ style calendar to raise funds to buy a settee for the relatives room of the cancer ward of their local hospital, after one of their husbands sadly dies from leukaemia.
Cast members are putting in long hours and the heating has been turned up in the hall as local actresses are preparing to bare all and let go of their dignity.
‘’It’s a very funny play with some great one liners. There are also some very poignant moments, so one minute you have tears of laughter rolling down your cheeks and the next you are crying,” says Linda Murphy one of the brave ladies who will pose for the calendar.
This is the first production for the group since the passing last year of their esteemed director Tim Dunne and this year’s play is being directed by John O’Doherty and Pat Landers. The full cast features Mary Gallahue, Linda Murphy, Ursula Flynn, Siobhan O’Donnell, Eileen Harrington, Michelle Hennessy, Sharon O’Carroll, Dorothy Dunne, Tina Carton, Grace Courtney, John O’Doherty, Micheál O’Doherty, David Condon and Batt Power.
Opening night, Friday, 14th April will benefit two very worthy local charities. The Breeda McGrath Memorial Fund which supports patients and their families who are financially impacted by cancer. This charity was set up to remember a wonderful lady who sadly lost her battle with cancer in 2018.
The other beneficiary is YANA (You Are Not Alone) (North Cork Domestic Violence Project) which is based in Mallow and Youghal and provides support to women suffering Violence in their lives be that physical financial, sexual or psychological.
Ticket booking lines have now opened so don’t delay, make sure to secure your seat for this play that has been described as ‘marvellous theatre, dazzlingly funny, shamelessly sentimental utterly captivating and guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and come out singing Jerusalem’.
Call Nell on 086-6079251 or Margaret on 025-24753 for ticket booking. Adults €12, Children €5.
