Tickets have been flying out the door for a production that is hitting the stage of Winchester Theatre Royal this week.

The Calendar Girls story is based on true events, which was made into a smash hit film in 2003 and subsequently into a successful play and now a musical with music written by Gary Barlow. 

The story centres around best friends Chris and Annie. When Annie loses her husband to cancer, Chris rallies the members of their beloved Yorkshire Women's Institute to do a very unexpected thing.

Blasting away all preconceptions of what it is to be in the WI, they decide to do an artistic nude calendar to raise money for charity. 

READ MORE: Calendar Girls cast announced by Winchester Musicals and Opera Society

Hampshire Chronicle: Calendar Girls

However, it’s not quite as easy as it seems. As each member overcomes their emotional and personal barriers, the calendar brings each woman into bloom. It is a story about community and family and proves that anyone is capable of extraordinary things given enough determination and support. 

Like the calendar girls, Winchester Musicals and Opera Society (WMOS) will also be fundraising during each performance of the show. The society supports a local charity each year and in 2023, WMOS has been working with Winchester Go LD. 

Over the past year members of WMOS have joined Winchester Go LD for musical theatre workshops, shared skills and fundraised together. Like in the show, each performance of Calendar Girls will benefit the local community. 

Tickets for Calendar Girls are available from the Winchester Theatre Royal box office and can be booked online. 

The production is playing at Winchester Theatre Royal between November 8-11. 

For more information on the show and to see behind the scenes visit wmos.org.uk and follow the society on Facebook, X and Instagram.