Tim Firth and Gary Barlow to Premiere Musical Version of Calendar Girls

Tim Firth and Finding Neverland composer Gary Barlow have announced the world premiere of The Girls, a new musical based on the true story behind Firth's film and award-winning play Calendar Girls. Performances will run at the Grand Theatre Leeds in West Yorkshire, England, from November 14-December 12 and at the Lowry Salford in Greater Manchester, England, from January 13-30, 2016.

The creators made the announcement on March 22 in the Village Hall in Burnsall, North Yorkshire (where the whole story originally began), following a reading of the new musical in front of the original "Calendar Girls," local people, and industry professionals.

"We are over the moon with the reception our new musical The Girls has had here in Burnsall," said Firth and Barlow. "To have received the ecstatic blessing of the original Calendar Girls is something that is so so special to us. We look forward to its world premiere on November 14 at the Leeds Grand Theatre."

The Girls is inspired by the true story of a group of women who appear nude for a Women’s Institute calendar in order to raise funds to buy a settee for their local hospital, in memory of one of their husbands. The musical comedy depicts life in their Yorkshire village, and how a group of ordinary ladies achieved something extraordinary.

Roger Haines and Tim Firth will direct, with design by Rob Jones, comedy staging by Jos Houben, lighting design by Tim Lutkin, and sound design by Terry Jardine and Nick Lidster. David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers will produce.

To read more, visit WhatsOnStage.com.