Climbing John's Hill - a Tough but Rewarding Adventure

Doing Calendar Girls has been one massive hill for me to climb.  Its been a bit like John's Hill for me.    I watched the film with my Nanna before I lost her to this spiteful disease 5 years ago.

When it was first mentioned about this show,  I knew that I would love to do this in memory of Nanna, but never really gave the nude scene a thought  and put it to the back of my mind more.  When the time came for us to take our clothes off our director, Peta,  made it very tasteful indeed and got her kit off too!

Organising the calendar was something I never thought I could get off the ground;  but with talented models and a professional photographer, Louise Greenhouse, the skies were the limit.  The support  that we have had from local businesses to make this calendar possible was outstanding;  so thank you to each and everyone of you.  The sales  to date have been overwhelming and long may it continue.  Have you bought yours yet?  Why not - they are only  £5....available on the BLT website.....I am ever the salesperson! 

The Ladies of BLT - SBM 2nd from the left

I'm going to be doing my last show tonight and I'll never look back with any regrets, but it's going to be sad to put it to bed.  It was hard bearing all at first, but when the audience clap you feel like a superstar and your on cloud nine.
The TV coverage that we had last week,  has made the general public approach you in the street, and chat about the theatre - which has been lovely.  My  best experience was in a card shop in town and the lady said, " We've had two Celeb's in the shop this week you and Joe Calzaghe!"  We have just been on Real Radio and a fab review in the South Wales Argus newspaper.   It really feels more like Broadway than Blackwood.  

 
Rehearsals have been  both fun and emotional and I was a true blonde most of the time!  Sorry guys if I got on your nerves -  when I would walk on stage and shouldn't have been on at the time!! 

This is one play that will go down in our theatre history as being very special - and what a fab cast, crew and director to do it with!

Shelley Bethan Morgan.....(Celia) xx

Calendar Girls - Keeping it in the Family!

Well here we are towards the back end of our run for Calendar Girls and really can’t believe that it has gone by that quickly. It seems only yesterday that we knew that the Licence was to be released for performances by amateur theatre companies.

During the first meetings, we sat and discussed all the great ideas being thrown around by everyone in relation to raising monies for local charities. With heads spinning from all of those ideas and how we were going to do them, we also decided to perform this play for slightly longer that the ‘normal’ run by extending it 2 nights.

The reading then took place and the cast was announced by Peta Maidman, who took on, what turned out to be a mammoth task in both Directing and producing (many a midnight candle has been burned I have no doubt!)

To my delight my wife, Ros, was asked to play Ruth, with myself playing Rod and my eldest daughter Fay, playing Elaine. 

During the discussion of ideas, we decided to produce a calendar. This would involve all the ladies in various poses and states of undress. Even the ‘boys’ were down to do a page. When the time came, the ladies were photographed in various lovely locations around Blackwood and I was waiting eagerly to see where ours would be... which turned out to be a local car park! Well, with the weather we have been experiencing I wasn’t holding out much hope of being able to stay dry! However the day came for the dirty deed to be done and luckily it was one of those few days where it was nice and sunny. The 4 of us involved trooped down to the car park. With the van strategically placed, various poses were discussed and eventually settled on. A tentative look around and they were off (our clothes!) A few pictures later and everyone was happy and dressed, glad that we were not spotted by our local ‘boys in blue’. I did have visions of the Full Monty where we would all be carted off to the local station to be ridiculed.

The calendar was finalised and produced. I have to say that everyone looks great and they are selling so well that we have had to order more (smacks of the play itself). Talking of which, the play is going really well. We are pleased to say that we are playing to full houses and the feedback has been fantastic.

I know the ladies involved in the production have been worrying about ‘Scene 6’ (the photo shoot scene). Well all I can say is that they are all very brave and the scene has been handled tastefully which has resulted in everyone being confident that bits that shouldn’t bee see aren’t.  It goes down a storm every night receiving applause from the audience for every ‘photo’ set up.

 

The cry from the female members is now for the boys to do the Full Monty. Well the gauntlet has been thrown down. I guess it’s a case of watch this space!!

Jerry Grummitt - Rod

There’s Not A Cure For Baldness Either

I am a bit-part actor at BLT and have popped up in the last few productions to deliver a line or two as a supporting actor in the shadow of the stars of the show.  Therefore, when they were looking for a male actor to deliver a few lines in the first act of Calendar Girls, then die before the interval I was the obvious choice!

It is also a major advantage to the costume department that I am completely bald, well I like to consider my head shaven but I shan’t split hairs.  My baldness is a major advantage as I simply have to remove my headgear to appear gaunt and dying of an incurable disease.  Hmmm, do I really look that bad in real life?

I think that the play is full of a myriad of emotion, from laughter, tears, guilt, anger, selfishness, jealousy, grief…..or am I just describing five minutes sat in the ladies dressing room?  I am of course joking because I am impressed with the ladies in the show.  I think that true beauty isn’t superficial; it’s about who these women are.  Their true beauty lies in their confidence and the fact that they are prepared to bare their soul in front of a live audience.

In all seriousness it is full of all those emotions I mentioned and I can’t really describe the deep vibrant pleasure that watching it will give you.  I do however encourage you to open yourselves up to the emotions, perhaps a little like the moment just before a child bursts into tears.  He knows that he is about to cry but he does nothing to hold it back.  He has no shame; he wants to drown in it, to be swallowed up by his emotions.

This is what I want you to do, allow yourselves to be consumed by your emotions and enjoy the journey that this fabulous play will take you on.

John Clarke (Bleddyn – proud to be bald for my art)

I am a Techie....Please Don't Expose Me To All This Flesh!!!

Last night was our  Calendar Girls Technical Rehearsal and despite getting taken over by two Television Crews we managed to get through quite a bit. Whilst myself, Neil and Peta had a few meetings to discuss the look and feel of the play in terms of lighting I have tended to stay away from rehearsals on this one - Men were even banned from one or two ‘bra’ rehearsals !

Last night we rehearsed a few nude scenes and all I can say is that the boys at the back on the Tech table were probably just as nervous as the girls - if not more so! Having said that Peta has directed things in such a way that it is all very tasteful and there was no major embarrassment. Well done to Peta and the cast !

The lighting (I hope) is a simple design with lots of open white for a realistic feel with tints of rose and purples and pinks to add a bit of colour onto the faces. There are a few special effects thrown in here and there for good measure too - with our newly acquired voiles looking good too !

On to sound...I don’t often get overly excited about sound to be honest - I am more of a ‘lampy’ but the Soundscape for this show is really nice - with the help of Ian Palmer there has been a lot of thought into what fits where and it works perfectly. 

This is a fairly long run for BLT in terms of a straight play but I am looking forward to it - there are some great people involved in this production in every capacity and it shows in the quality of the finished product. 

Over the next few days the story of BLT and Calendar Girls will be broadcast to the Nation on ITV and BBC news programmes - keep an eye out for us !

So ladies and gentlemen - book your tickets and buy your BLT Calendars - they are selling FAST !

Nye 

I'm Just A Calendar Guy!!!!

When I asked myself…do I want to commit to a production of Calendar Girls for a period of weeks, attend rehearsals in the back and beyond, learn another role for six performances…?

I answered…absolutely.

To be told that you have joined the company as one of four male roles…one can only feel a tremendous sense of pride. After all, to me it was only a ‘filler’ of some sort’s before I made my way back to the misty murky depths of Aberystwyth for my second year at University. I wish my arrogant young self knew back then that this would be a production to place front and centre of the trophy cabinet.

But there is one other reason why this calendar guy said yes. Not only for the formidable reputation presented by BLT in every production that they do (and I.E.D by Vic Mills for the Gwent One Act Play Festival last year was one tough challenge to say in the least!) or for the hilarious comedic genius that is Tim Firth…but for the time spent working with these lovely ladies.

And boy they are a gas!

In theatre rehearsals can become tedious, repetitive…dull; but with witty quips a plenty and buns to boot, every rehearsal brings a fresh approach to the table. With the skilful direction and co-ordination of the wonderful Peta Maidman, one can’t help but think ‘what the hell have we got into?’ with a slightly silly grin on the face and a chuckle in the stomach.

Who wouldn’t laugh at the sight of dear Ros entering clothed head-to foot in a rabbit costume, her character humiliated, only to the response of Yve uttering ‘…I wouldn’t worry about that, love. You have to get your tits out on stage whatever happens…’

It’s been…what’s the word? Oh yes…a privilege

Chris (Liam)

I Am Not Shy, BUT............

Now, I'm not shy, and it has been said once or twice that you can always tell when I'm in the audience. But, something has just occurred to me, in about a week's time I will be standing "nude" behind nothing more than a tiny bit of crockery!!?? O M G how and when did this happen?  Well, let me explain.  We had just finished performing our Peter Karrie concert. When Peta Maidman said to a few of us ladies "how do you all feel about doing Calendar Girls next year?"  As you can imagine, there was a resounding yes from us all (it was the natural high we were on and nothing to do with the alcohol we had all consumed).  Well that was last year...... Fast forward to only a few months ago, you see it’s a bit like agreeing to do a bungee jump - being on stage, at the time you think yeah great, no problem -  then when it comes around, the fear suddenly sets in and you're like a rabbit in the headlights only this time without your clothes. So here I am wearing just a bit more than my best smile and swearing to go on a diet.

 I have had the best time, and don't know why I was so worried, as we're all in the same boat, with the same hang-ups, promising all who can hear us to stop eating chocolate.  I have to say this has been the most fun I've ever had with a bunch of "ladies" that didn't involve alcohol.

When the cast list was first announced, I made my husband Gareth read the list twice, just to make sure that he hadn't made a mistake and there was no-one more surprised than myself to have been given the part of Annie. The fact is that, when Gwen (Chris) asked if I was going to the reading, I honestly and truly thought that I would be lucky to get any part, given all the talent that BLT has amongst its ranks. Secretly I always fancied the role of Celia, as I have always wanted "considerably bigger buns".  But I have really enjoyed getting to know Annie and hope that I do the part justice.

The Ladies of BLT

 As for my part in the Calendar, I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would be lying on a bed in a shop in Blackwood, covering my pudenda with nothing but a few cushions. All I can say, is that sometimes you just have to take a deep breath, smile your most charming smile at the camera and hope that all those years sitting on your backside, eating chocolate biscuits and watching TV, aren't going to show. (I even went jogging that morning ....... as if that would help).  Much love and gratitude has to be given to Louise, our photographer, who did a fantastic job in making us all feel relaxed and beautiful on the day.

Frankie Baskerville

 I'm looking forward to what I know is going to be an extraordinary week but I have to say I am feeling very nervous and stripy as I’ve just come back from a week in the sun about getting "nude" for the first time this Sunday in rehearsal.  Peta thank you for giving me this chance to become a sunflower Frankie (Annie).xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Shuttlecock warning…..

Well I’ve put off writing this blog for the past two weeks.  Guilt has been weighing heavy on my shoulders.  So many of the other cast members have taken the time to sit down and give you a glimpse of what they have done, felt or seen during our rehearsals for this fantastic play.  I totally appreciate all Neil’s texts, Facebook messages and face to face reminders to complete this blog!! So here I go…

I was so excited when Peta announced she had secured the rights to perform Calendar Girls for the 1^st September 2012 – what a coo for BLT!  I couldn’t believe how many people turned up for the auditions.  I thought there is no way I would get a part with so many talented ladies in the room.  It was a two week wait until the list of parts was released – OMG I got Marie, the Chairwoman of Knapley Women’s Institute!  I was so excited and couldn’t wait to read the script to see what was in store for me. 

Firstly, I was a little disappointed, I didn’t get to pose nude, but as rehearsals progressed I have soon came to cherish keeping my clothes on.  I feel that all the girls posing are very brave!  (Especially after our group photo shoot at the theatre – very weird getting you kit off on the stage)

My next thought was how the hell am I going to remember my lines whilst playing badminton (with great enthusiasm, shall we say) with Ruth (Ros Grummitt).  With a little practise, I’m getting the knack of badminton and even caused an injury to Yve (Jessie) whilst she filled in for Ros.  I smacked her straight between the eyes, rather hard, with the shuttlecock.  Yve was the perfect drama queen, and feel straight to the floor!  So watch out if your in the front row, you have been warned!

There are so many enjoyable stories about rehearsals, but I loved doing the Calendar – even got to do a couple of poses not in the calendar!  Thank you Shelley, Claire and Louise for bearing with me during the shoot in order to fulfil my own personal ambitions!!

Right, I think that’s enough of me jabbering on, back to learning my lines and refining the character described as ‘something off Lord of the Rings’!!

Love

Claire Williams (Marie)