Cast announced for Calendar Girls the Musical at Theatre by the Lake

Theatre by the Lake announces the cast for its major summer production of Calendar Girls the Musical, running in Keswick from Thursday 6 August to Saturday 5 September, with press night on Friday 7 August.

This heartwarming and life-affirming musical, based on the true story of a group of Yorkshire women who create a fundraising nude calendar after the death of a much-loved husband, is written by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth.

The cast includes Angela Caesar, Pippa Duffy, Sarah Groarke, Rachel Hammond, Matt Heslop, Karen Holmes, Matt Ian Kelly, Annie Kirkman, Christina Meehan, Alicia McKenzie, Neil Moors and Fenella Norman.

Audiences at Theatre by the Lake will recognise several familiar faces returning to Keswick. Sarah Groarke previously appeared in The Borrowers (2022) and The Blonde Bombshells of 1943 (2023), while Matt Ian Kelly returns following his role in Brassed Off (2024). Alicia McKenzie was last seen on the TBTL stage in Quality Street (2023), making this production a welcome return to TBTL for a number of the company.

In a celebration of local talent and community spirit, Theatre by the Lake is also inviting people from across Cumbria to take part in the production through a community cast callout. Open to participants aged 16+, this opportunity will see local people perform alongside the professional company, further embedding the production in the region and reflecting the story’s themes of friendship, resilience and collective action. Full details on how to get involved can be found via the Theatre by the Lake website.

Directed by Paul Robinson, this new production places audiences at the heart of the story through an intimate, in-the-round staging, bringing the warmth, humour and resilience of the Rylstone Women’s Institute vividly to life.

Paul Robinson said: “Our new in-the-round staging of Calendar Girls the Musical brings the audience into the heart of the WI, creating a shared, communal experience that makes this story of friendship and determination feel more immediate and deeply personal.”

Writers Tim Firth and Gary Barlow added: “When Paul described his vision, it was instantly clear he was imagining something we’d never seen before, a completely fresh and exciting way of telling this story.”

The true story of the Calendar Girls sparked a global phenomenon, inspiring a hit film, a record-breaking stage play and this award-winning musical filled with unforgettable songs. At its core is a powerful celebration of community, courage and the extraordinary things ordinary people can achieve.

This production is a co-production with the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough; the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich; and the Octagon Theatre Bolton.

Following its run in Keswick (6 August – 5 September), the production will tour to Ipswich (10–26 September) and Bolton (8–31 October), after opening in Scarborough (27 June – 25 July) earlier in the summer.

Calendar Girls the Musical is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd and is based on the original play and motion picture.

Calendar Girls the Musical plays at Theatre by the Lake Thursday 6 August to Saturday 5 September. Tickets are available here.