Churchill Theatre, Bromley
Wednesday, 10th January - Saturday, 13th January 2024
The Lowry, Salford
Tuesday, 16th January - Saturday, 20th January 2024
Opera House, Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Tuesday, 23rd January - Saturday, 27th January 2024
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
Tuesday, 30th January - Saturday, 3rd February 2024
Grand Opera House, York
Tuesday, 6th February - Saturday, 10th February 2024
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen
Tuesday, 13th February - Saturday, 17th February 2024
King's Theatre, Glasgow
Tuesday, 20th February - Saturday, 24th February 2024
Theatre Royal, Bath
Tuesday, 5th March - Saturday, 9th March 2024
Theatre Royal, Windsor
Tuesday, 12th March - Saturday, 16th March 2024
Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury
Tuesday, 19th March - Saturday, 23rd March 2024
New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Tuesday, 26th March - Saturday, 30th March 2024
Theatre Royal, Norwich
Tuesday, 2nd April - Saturday, 6th April 2024
The Hawth, Crawley
Tuesday, 9 April - Saturday, 13 April 2024
   
Calendar Girls Reviews
“Many famous faces are in this cast and they all played their role[s] with conviction and humour or pathos accordingly... In particular, Tanya Franks as Annie and Lyn Paul as Jessie stood out for me." (www.glos.info)
"There are some strong individual singing performances, especially from the impressive Lyn Paul as Jessie, who explores her own anxieties as an older woman faced with undressing for such a noble and worthy cause.“ (Tony Clarke, Stagetalk Magazine, 27th September 2023)
"A special mention must go to Maureen Nolan, as the unhappily married Ruth, and Lyn Paul as retired teacher Jessie, the oldest member of the group: their vocal performances are truly exceptional." (Sue Hull, What's On - Birmingham, 4th October 2023)
"Lyn Paul showed a side to her talent that we've not always seen in other roles, giving a stunning turn as Jessie." (Dan Richards, Black Country Radio, 4th October 2023)
“Calendar Girls The Musical is blooming brilliant!... Paul’s What Age Expects and Nolan’s My Russian Friend And I were very different but both quite memorable.” (Brad Barnes, Peterborough Telegraph, 25th October 2023)
“Led by Tanya Franks as the bereaved but undefeated Annie, we have Maureen Nolan as the gentle soul that is self-conscious Ruth, Lyn Paul as Jessie, the retired teacher with a playful but sharp edge, and Amy Robbins as the classic rebellious spirit that is Chris. It’s really the credibility of the decades-long friendship between Franks’ Annie and Robbins’ Chris, along with Paul’s talent for landing one liners that stand out in this production.” (Always Time For Theatre, 7th November 2023)
"Each character has her moment, with her own challenge to overcome, from the process of ageing and worries over children, to cheating spouses and turning to the bottle." (John Plummer, The Stray Ferret, 8th November 2023)
“Standout acting from Amy Robbins as Chris (best known for her characters in Coronation Street and The Royal), Tanya Franks as Annie (a big change from drug addled character Rainie in Eastenders) and New Seekers star Lyn Paul as Jessie – scenes and songs from them were truly excellent.” (Jennie Eyres, The Reviews Hub, 8th November 2023)
“My shining star of the night was Lyn Paul as Jessie - what a powerhouse she is of musical theatre - belting out What Age Expects. She owned the stage and the whole audience - what a voice; but it is no surprise as she has been a regular on the circuit playing Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers.“ (London Showtime, Facebbok review, 8th November 2023)
“Lyn Paul’s performance as Jessie is a testament to her exceptional vocal and acting abilities. Her rendition of What Age Expects becomes a poignant highlight, showcasing not only her vocal prowess but also her ability to convey the emotional depth of the character. Paul infuses Jessie with a vibrant energy and charismatic stage presence that significantly contributes to the overall engagement of the audience.” (Tom, All Things Theatre, 14th November 2023)
“I especially enjoyed the numbers sung by Ruth (played by Maureen Nolan) and Jessie (played by Lyn Paul).” (Dottie Rood, What's Good To Do, 18th November 2023)
“Lyn Paul as Jessie is hilarious, delivering her lines with a ferocious bluntness – when considering her decision to pose nude she says: ‘OK… but no front bottoms!’” (Fairy Powered Productions, 22nd November 2023)
“Lyn Paul exudes authority as retired teacher Jessie,” (Mark Clegg, The Reviews Hub, 22nd November 2023)
"I have to give a special mention to Lyn Paul as Jessie and her impressive rendition of What Age Expects. Perhaps it’s because I’m getting older, or perhaps just the theme of the show altogether, but the meaning and lyrics have really stuck with me." (Mel Cooper, Curtain Call Reviews, 28th November 2023)
“At one point I had tears rolling down my face as Lyn Paul, as Jessie, delivers What Age Expects. The line, “Don’t act the colour of your hair, act the colour of your heart”, really resonated with me.” (Deborah Hall, Hull Live, 28th November 2023)
"This production benefits from a phenomenally good cast that has gelled together effectively.... Everyone will have their favourite character, whether it’s Honeysuckle Weeks’ down-to-earth Cora, Helen Pearson’s always over-dressed Celia, Lyn Paul’s once-a-teacher-always-a-teacher Jessie, or Liz Carney’s prim and proper Marie." (Greg Jameson, Entertainment Focus, 11th January 2024)
"Lyn Paul gives a very believable performance of retired teacher Jessie… with an inspiring rendition of What Age Expects." (Emily Davison, Bromley News Shopper, 12th January 2024)
“Lyn Paul, playing Jessie, also displays excellent vocals in her empowering number What Age Expects." *** (Lucy Boardman, Everything Theatre, 16th January 2024)
“Each member of the cast, including Liz Carney as Marie, Maureen Nolan as Ruth, Lyn Paul as Jessie, Helen Pearson as Celia, Samantha Seager as Christine and Honeysuckle Weeks as Cora, contributes to the magic of the musical with their brilliant on-stage chemistry, unique flair and talent.” ***** (Max Eden, North West End UK, 16th January 2024)
“The second half… is where the women really sock it to you, with four stellar vocal performances. Lyn Paul (Jessie), kicks things off with a defiant What Age Expects, followed by Liz Carney's (Marie) snarky Mrs. Rebellious, Maureen Nolan belting out My Russian Friend and I, and a heart-wrenchingly relatable Kilimanjaro performed by Laurie Brett (Annie).” **** (Danielle Roper, Manchester Evening News, 17th January 2024)
“Laurie Brett (Eastenders and Waterloo Road), Lyn Paul (New Seekers) and Honeysuckle Weeks (Foyle's War) particularly stand out in this cast, breathing life into their characters, turning preconceptions upside down and taking us through a rollercoaster of emotions…“ (Dean Thomas-Lowde, Canal Street Online, 17th January 2024)
“Lyn Paul (The New Seekers, Blood Brothers, Taboo) is fabulously matriarchal and stern as Jessie, yet we discover that Jessie’s outward appearance is a role she has played in life, and it possibly hides a deliciously wicked interior. Paul creates a commanding character, without ever being unwelcoming and the respect others have for her is apparent in both performance and reality. She blows us away with her solo. It holds a powerful message and is delivered by powerful vocals that give you goosebumps and extracted involuntary “wows” from around the theatre.” **** (Karen Ryder, Manchester Theatres, 17th January 2024)
“Lyn Paul (Jessie) gets the best individual applause of the night.” ** (Robert Beale, Theatre Reviews North, 17th January 2024)
“Lyn Paul, in the role of retired teacher Jessie effortlessly defies age and professional stereotypes. Jessie’s solo What Age Expects analyses the way society treats women as we age.” ***** (Lucy C, A Youngish Perspective, 19th January 2024)
“Lyn Paul is so charismatic and relaxed, her performance is just wonderful.” (Samantha Seager, quoted by Aimee Seddon in an interview for the The Gazette, 22nd January 2024)
“Samantha Seager is fabulous as Chris, her energy and enthusiasm infectious as she rallies to keep morale high within the group. Lyn Paul and Maureen Nolan both deliver masterclass performances in tackling delicate subject matter.” (Christine Goode, on: yorkshire magazine, 30th January 2024)
“Strong performances too from Lyn Paul as Jessie - her performance of What Age Expects was a highlight… “ (Emma Clayton, Telegraph & Argus, 30th January 2024)
“During the second act, the musical comes into its own. I was bowled over by the raw emotion and powerful acting of the leads, in particular Laurie Brett, Liz Carney, Maureen Nolan, Lyn Paul, Helen Pearson, Samantha Seager and Honeysuckle Weeks and I left the theatre a bit of a teary mess.” (Rebecca Buchan, The Press and Journal, 14th February 2024)
“Lyn Paul as the matriarchal Jessie is a class act with a beautiful delivery of her song.” (Steve Huggins, Bath Echo, 6th March 2024)
“It’s a compelling story, the songs are great and obviously the highlight is the photographic session which is very funny and beautifully performed.” (Jacquie Vowles, What's On Bristol, 6th March 2024)
"All cast members work incredibly hard in what are challenging musical and acting roles. Some of the solo musical hits are a highlight, particularly Lyn Paul as the ageing Jessie who belts out one of the best songs in the show to tumultuous applause from the audience." (Nancy Connolly, Bath Chronicle, 7th March 2024, page 4)
"Lyn Paul plays Jessie who used to be a teacher and the WI members sometimes still call her Miss. She is proud of her achievements but hates being judged by her age. I hear this loudly even though I am much younger than all the cast on the stage. Lyn is a huge talent and outstanding in this role." (Jasmine Storm, 20th March 2024)
"Lyn Paul (Blood Brothers) brings prestige and gravitas as retired teacher Jessie who doesn’t let her age dictate what she does." (Mica Blackwell, Welcome To My Stagey World, 28th March 2024)
"Lyn Paul delivers the ultimate show stopper with Jessie’s solo, What Age Expects." (Paul Scott, The Sussex Newspaper, 10th April 2024)
“The show is a true ensemble effort... stand out performances include three former Mrs. Johnstones’ (Blood Brothers): Maureen Nolan playing the constrained Ruth who finds courage from the bottom of a bottle, Lyn Paul as Jessie whose teaching career taught her a lot of resilience and Helen Pearson playing Celia the (air) hostess with the mostess.” (Sammi O’Neill, Theatre South East. 10th April 2024)
Added: 24th June 2023
Updated: 13th April 2024
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