Winchester Musicals and Opera Society (WMOS) has announced its cast for the November show Calendar Girls.

Based on play and film, which in turn is based on real life events, Calendar Girls is the story of a Yorkshire WI who decides to bare all for a calendar to raise money for charity after a member loses her husband. 

It's the story of best friends Annie and Chris (played by Rachel Wells and Katie Hickson). When Annie’s husband is diagnosed with terminal leukaemia, they start to spend many hours at the hospital on the uncomfortable furniture. 

Inspired by a trip to the shop Chris comes up with the idea to make a nude calendar with the ladies of the local WI as the models to raise funds for the hospital. 

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Rachel Wells, who plays Annie, was last seen on the WMOS stage in their February concert The Sound of Musicals and in 2015’s The Witches of Eastwick. 

Katie Hickson is a regular of the WMOS stage, last seen playing Buttercup in this Summer’s HMS Pinafore, which she also music directed. 

The members of the Knapley WI aren’t initially on board with the idea, but Chris and Annie win them over in order to create those famous pictures.

There are lots of familiar faces within WMOS’ WI as well as a few new ones. Cora, the musical single mother, is played by newcomer Kat Stother. Jessie, the retired teacher, is played by Liz Petley-Jones who last seen in 2018’s Utopia Limited and has been responsible for the set designs of most WMOS productions. 

Trophy wife Celia is played by newcomer Katie Jacobs and the timid Ruth played Suzanne Hall who was last seen onstage in the WMOS concert and 2021’s Me & My Girl, as well as being the society’s chair and frequent director. 

The production team is full of fresh faces with Olivia Conroy making her directorial debut for the society and Alison Benton as musical director. 

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

For tickets, visit theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/calendar-girl or call 01962 840440.