Multi award-winning theatre company Mossley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (MAODS) is set to bring the heartwarming and hilariously honest Gary Barlow musical Calendar Girls to the George Lawton Hall this November — and the cast really are baring all for the cause.
The show, based on the true story of a Yorkshire WI group who famously posed nude for a charity calendar, follows a group of ordinary women who transform a traditional WI fundraiser into a nationwide sensation.
Their original calendar, created in memory of member Annie’s late husband, John, who died from leukaemia, has raised more than £6 million for Leukaemia Research (now Blood Cancer UK). This year marks its 25th anniversary, making it the perfect time for MAODS to celebrate the inspirational story on stage.
The musical charts the women’s lives with warmth and humour as they navigate grief, family pressures, friendship, and the messy, marvellous reality of womanhood. While the emotional core runs deep, it’s the wit, joy and unshakeable camaraderie that makes Calendar Girls such a crowd favourite.
George Devlin, MAODS secretary, told The Correspondent:
“Rehearsals have felt incredibly positive. Each cast member is doing this for a reason personal to them, which is making this show feel particularly special.”
True to the spirit of the original Calendar Girls, the cast have taken part in a nude photoshoot for MAODS’ own charity calendar, which will be on sale during show week — with all proceeds donated to cancer charities. The society is raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research UK, Teenage Cancer Trust, The Christie, Prostate Cancer UK and Maggie’s Oldham.
Members have also gone above and beyond with year-round fundraising efforts, including the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, a “Marathon a Month”, bake sales, raffles, bingo cards, an ice bucket challenge and a Halloween fancy dress competition.
MAODS’ production of Calendar Girls The Musical runs from 24–29 November 2025 at The George Lawton Hall, Stamford Street, Mossley.
Tickets are available at maods.org, with a special discount currently offered for Monday’s performance.
For accessibility information or other enquiries, email enquiriesmaods@gmail.com or call 07557 344243.
Break a leg to everyone involved — and congratulations on baring all for such remarkable causes.