With just weeks to go until iconic play Calendar Girls makes its local debut, Jo Caruana speaks to actress Isabel Warrington about art, charity and… going nude on the Manoel Theatre stage.
You can imagine the atmosphere as a group of women take their clothes off for a photo shoot. There’s nerves, cries of panic, sporadic giggles and bouts of full-blown laughter.
The show’s ability to find comedy in such a dark and terrifying topic is nothing short of brilliant
But these are not glamour models preparing their looks for a racy magazine cover; they are real women (mothers, wives, daughters and – of course – actresses) who are stripping off for their roles in the Malta Amateur Dramatics Club’s production of renowned play Calendar Girls.
Among them is bubbly Isabel Warrington, who is loved for her larger-than-life personality and her willingness to give her all to the productions she is part of. How does she feel about getting naked to portray the show’s message?
“It’s a lot of fun actually,” she grins, “and also very funny. It’s quite a naughty thing to do in front of all those people, especially at the national theatre! I wouldn’t do it if it weren’t relevant to the script or if it were done in a vulgar way. It’s just a bit of innocent fun really... and it is all for a good cause.”
That good cause is the awareness of cancer, and Calendar Girls has been synonymous with that for a long time. The play is based on the screenplay of the same name, written by Tim Firth.
It follows the true story of a handful of middle-aged women who made a difference for a good cause – by going starkers in print.
“In an attempt to raise money for a new settee for the local hospital waiting room, they pose nude for an alternative calendar,”Warrington explains, adding that the women had no idea their efforts would go on to become international news.
Word of the women’s charitable venture spread like wildfire and hordes of journalists descended on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales.
What started out as an innovative idea to raise about €628 for a sofa, suddenly went global and has to date raised more than €4 million towards the Leukaemia Research Fund.
“Personally, I think it was a brilliant idea. After all, even in this day and age, nudity still causes a stir – you only have to look at the recent cases where members of the British royal family hit the news for all the wrong reasons.
“The original Calendar Girls certainly knew how to make an impression for a good cause!”
As fans of the film and theatre production will testify, the result of these women’s efforts has translated into a funny and shamelessly sentimental script that has captured hearts the world over.
“I loved the story when I watched the film, so I was thrilled when I was asked to play Cora – an ex-rock chick whose free spirit has been curbed by life’s circumstances,” Warrington explains.
“She is certainly an enjoyable character to explore and I love her witty and dry sense of jest. It’s a pretty standout production when you consider how well it blends such a plethora of sentiments, including humour.”
It is that humour that has probably brought Calendar Girls so much success, and its ability to find comedy in such a dark and terrifying topic is nothing short of brilliant.
“Anyone who has lost someone to this disease will know how devastating it is, but also what a roller coaster of emotions it can be. As a result, I believe this production will appeal to absolutely everyone, as it promises to be a brilliant blend of poignancy, story-telling and belly laughs.”
Meanwhile, in the spirit of the original Calendar Girls, the MADC is also collaborating with Hospice Malta and will be donating a percentage of ticket sales to the organisation.
In addition, the club – which celebrated its centenary in 2010 – is also producing and publishing its own ‘alternative’ calendar featuring local personalities. Proceeds from the sale of this calendar will also go to Hospice Malta. These calendars can be purchased through the MADC website or at the Manoel Theatre on the performance nights.
“It’s a full package and we hope we can raise awareness as well as funds for local cancer organisations too. I think it’s brilliant that the arts and charity have found a way to work together and I believe it is something that should be encouraged whenever possible.”
Calendar Girls is directed by Nanette Brimmer and featuresPolly March, Nicola Schembri,Sue Scantlebury, Isabel Warrington, Marta Vella, Marylu Coppini, Ninette Micallef, Nicola Abela Garrett, Francesca Briffa, Alan Paris, Paul Portelli, Chris Hudson, Annemijn Rutgers and Michael Mangion.
The play will be performed at the Manoel Theatre on October 19-21 and 26-28. For tickets, call 2124 6389 or e-mail bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt.
www.teatrumanoel.com.mt