Despite the chill in the air, the plucky cast of Calendar Girls bared all in the name of charity at the Athenaeum Theatre.

The idea was to raise money for Dorothy House, which supports those with terminal illness, and their families. It was also part of a national attempt to record as many amateur performances of the play in one year, the only time allowed by the publishers for amateur groups to take part. The organisers also combined the show with their own version of the famous Knapeley WI calendar, so the production then had two aspects.

The show itself was directed by Caroline Fielding, produced by Jim Read and Andrea Pearce, while Andrea also oversaw the calendar. The ladies on stage faithfully reproduced the characters from the original film, many acting for the first time.

Rebecca Ward-Murphy played the timid, self-conscious Ruth, whose husband had run off with a beauty and make-up expert. However in the second act Ruth finds her voice and sends her packing.

John, who suffered and died of cancer was played by Mark Rhodes, a jolly and sensitive portrayal of great fun until his sudden departure from life through a curtain of bright cloud.

The ladies successfully played the roller coaster of sidesplitting comic situations followed so quickly by moments of extreme emotion, which had many of the audience, swallowing hard and massaging stinging eyes.

One forgot all too quickly that this was an amateur production, and credit must go to director Caroline Fielding for capturing the moods of the piece throughout.

All the ladies were terrific and their characterisations consistent. The photographer was Matt Curtis, who actually took the Calendar pictures as well as playing the role and is a professional photographer.

The cast had a host of experienced actors helping out including Jenny Sachs, Robert Lewis and Judith Green as Lady Cravenshire. Staging and set was very good with stage management overseen by the experienced Jakie Paige. The calendars all sold out, the shows were a huge success with standing ovations every performance and at the cast finale party it was revealed that the efforts had raised in excess of £5,000.