In front of over 250 people in two sell-out nights, a group of brave Buriton women bared all as they followed in the footsteps of Hollywood stars Helen Mirren and Julie Walters to raise thousands of pounds for charity.
Tickets for the local production of Calendar Girls had been snapped up in just three days - selling as fast as the hot cakes that served to provide some cover for the cast.
In order to fit in extra people wanting to see the Tim Firth adaptation of the 2003 movie, villagers were also allowed to watch the 'undress' rehearsal a week before the main performances.
?There was so much interest in seeing the show,? explained producer Carol Warren, ?that we turned our final rehearsal into a matinee. It all helped raise extra money for charity,? she added.
Including takings from a raffle, the Buriton team raised over £3,100 for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. ?We hoped to raise about £1,500 but this is amazing,? said Carol, ?literally out-stripping our wildest dreams! We're all very proud.?
And reactions from the audience were full of praise.
Mike O'Neill, who had travelled all the way from High Wycombe to see family friends, was ecstatic: ?the best amateur production I have ever seen,? he exclaimed.
And Caroline Gray, from Buriton, said ?I hadn't laughed and cheered so much in a long time. The acting was so clever and really sensitive in places that it evoked tears. Who would have believed that we would have 'live' calendar girls in Buriton! Absolutely brilliant?.
Making her directing debut, Charlotte Stein was also overjoyed with the quality of the show. ?It's quite a challenging play, full of emotion combined with a generous helping of Yorkshire straight-talking and humour,? she explained.
?We wanted to stretch people's abilities and everyone rose to the challenge - and had a great time as well!?
?We only started rehearsing in September but the cast were all great: all very dedicated and everyone really got into their characters.They have put their hearts and souls into it, as have all the production team - a great combination.?
?And we'd like to say a big 'thank-you' for all the support from Buriton organisations and businesses,? she added, ?and to other local amateur dramatic groups who helped us with props.?
