It's a "reveal almost all" show at the Stanley, as the cast brings Calendar Girls to hilarious and touching life.
Drew Facey's striking, minimalist set of the tall, dark rafters and windows of an English Gothic church is set against a background of the misty hills and clouds of Yorkshire.
Faced with dull meetings, the tragedy of a husband's death and the leadership of their snobbish, dictatorial president, played with just enough acid by New Westminster's Colleen Winton, the members of the Women's Institute are inspired to raise money for a commemorative settee in their local cancer ward.
Their annual fundraising calendar will have a difference - their members portrayed at their usual community activities, but sans clothes.
Anna Galvin, as Chris, must convince her reluctant group, all excellently portrayed - from Shirley Broderick playing the feisty over-60s Jessie, to Kerry Sandomirsky as the local sexpot. Wendy Noel is excellent as the bereaved wife, with the right mixture of compassion, wit and bravery.
The hilarity rises as they fearfully pose as the nude-of-the-month, in as short a time as possible.
The excellent cast includes Burnaby's David Marr as the cheeky neighbourhood florist. Keep your ears open for the many funny throwaway lines. The show features good comic work by Aslam Husain, as a nervous photographer, and Shawn Macdonald, who dies, but later resurrects as a an annoyingly pushy director.
A visit to Calendar Girls ensures an entertaining evening. It's on at the Stanley Theatre till Feb. 25.
For more info or tickets, call 604-687-1644 or see www.artsclub.com.
