SEQUIM — When the ladies of Rylstone Women’s Institute produced their calendar of sepia-toned nudes in 1999, they couldn’t have known the actions they took would resonate so strongly with the public that they’d raise more than 6 million pounds for Blood Cancer UK and their story would inspire countless interviews and articles, more calendars, books, a movie, a musical.
And also a play, which local thespians and crew say has affected their own lives and perspectives on the female body and story — in all its variations.
Olympic Theatre Arts’ “Calendar Girls,” written by Tim Firth and directed by Ellen Butchart, opens Friday and runs through May 14, with showtimes at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Tickets to the show at the theater, at 414 N. Sequim Ave., are $20 for adults and $15 for students.
The 14-person cast features both new actors and veterans of the OTA stage in what representatives say is “about coming-of-age at any age.”
“It’s a charming, funny, ribald tale of the enduring power of sisterhood, friendship and long-lived relationships. It is also a story about ambition unrealized, the inevitability of loss and the distinct possibility that we all grow better as we grow older.”
Tickets are $20 and available online at olympictheatrearts.org or by calling the box office (360-683-7326) between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
The two-act dramedy resembles the movie of the same name, which was inspired by the real-life story of the ladies of Rylstone, Yorkshire, England, but has “lots of differences,” Butchart said.
“This is so much more economical,” she said. “It covers a shorter span of time.”
Butchart said that as soon as she heard that “Calendar Girls” had been voted the OTA Members’ Choice play for 2023, she asked to direct it.
“I don’t think there are enough plays about women,” she said. “This is really a narrative centered on women’s stories. It’s such a privilege.”
Butchart has an extensive background in film but said this is her first time directing a play, and that Marissa Meek has been helping her learn her new role.
“I think of her as a journey-woman of the theater,” Butchart said.
“Theater is all about collaboration,” she said. “It’s been a great collaboration.”
Empowerment theme
Butchart praised the dedication of the cast and their willingness to work through their own discomfort to portray the evolution of their characters.
“This group of middle-aged and older women live in a small rural community. Their lives have been defined by narrow cultural expectations and limited by the opportunities open to them,” said Butchart, noting that, although the play is set in England, following the playwright’s instructions the actors are not changing their accents.
“When the husband [John] of one of the ‘girls’ dies from cancer, they decide to step way, way out of their comfort zones, and the safe spaces that they’ve inhabited, to raise money for a comfortable couch in the family sitting room of their local hospital,” she said.
“In their courageous and generous act of raising money by posing nude in their Women’s Institute calendar, they learn confidence, body positivity and support each other through other difficult life events.”
“At the end of the day, the takeaway is the empowerment of women,” co-director William Stone said. “The play has been eye-opening for me. I’ve learned a lot.”
Stone said the play is fast-moving, with lots of props and a big cast, including complete newcomers to the stage, making for a challenging and fun learning experience.
Merrin Packer, who plays the musician Ruth, said the play “is about females loving their bodies where they’re at, women supporting women, about validating women’s experiences and their bodies showing that experience.
“Going into these characters, none of us were very comfortable, but by opening night, we will be,” she said.
Tara Dupont, who plays the outgoing character Chris, said that in the past, “I never felt that I fit the mold of what a woman should be,” but she has come to accept her own unique appearance.
The play, Dupont said, is about appreciating the body one has, not an abstract ideal. She said her character comes to realize that “friendship and the journey are more important than fame and glory.”
Dupont said performing at OTA since auditioning for the first time in 2021 has dramatically increased her confidence level.
“I started appreciating myself,” she said. “I have to go out and pursue my dreams. I’ve met fantastic people here, made friendships and really grown as a person.”
For more information, seeolympictheatrearts.org or call 360-683-7326.
Cheryl Tamblin, Merrin Packer, Amy Henry and Jamie Pauley, from left to right, rehearse a scene in OTA’s upcoming production “Calendar Girls.” (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
