Downham Market’s Downham Amateur Dramatics Society presents Calendar Girls at Upwell Village Hall with proceeds from calendars going to three charities

A theatre group is set to take to the stage to tell a heartfelt tale about women who decide to pose nude for a charity calendar.

Downham Amateur Dramatics Society (DADS) presents Calendar Girls, which the team says is an “emotional and heart-warming tale of brave women baring all” later this month.

After the success of Broadway Under the Stars, DADS has announced that its next production will be Calendar Girls by Tim Firth, performed at Upwell Village Hall from March 26-29 at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday.

Tickets are available online from dadstheatre.co.uk or the No 8 The Old Bookshop in Downham.

When Annie’s husband John dies of leukaemia, she and her best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room.

They manage to persuade four fellow Women’s Institute members to pose nude with them for an “alternative” calendar, with a little help from hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence.

The news of the women’s charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales.

The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie’s friendship is put to the test under the strain of their newfound fame.

Based on the true story of women who posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund, Calendar Girls is a show of memorable moments – about friendship, giggles, determination and hope, loss in many forms, as well as the importance of acceptance and knowing when to let go.

Director Della Reed said: “The cast have a real bond, and there has been plenty of laughter and tears.

“Many of the cast have experienced the cruel touch of cancer in their lives, so we have had some especially poignant moments in rehearsals.”

The cast will not only be ‘nude’ on stage, but have also created their own calendar that can be purchased at the show.

Donations from sales of the calendars will be in support of Pancreatic Cancer, Brain Tumour Research and Sarcoma UK – charities close to the hearts of the cast.