"Calendar Girls" by Masque Productions.

Mansfield Palace Theatre.

When Annie's husband John dies of leukaemia, she and her long-standing best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They eventually persuade four friends and fellow members of the Women’s Institute (W.I.) to pose nude with them for an "alternative" calendar.

They are assisted by hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence, who looked after John in his final days. This is much to the horror of the their local W.I. chairman, Marie.

The success of the calendar goes beyond their wildest dreams and they have soon raised the money needed and much more. Their efforts also catch the attention of the national and international press, who soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales. Although the calendar is a huge success, Chris and Annie's friendship though is put to the test by their new-found fame.

Tim Firth’s beautiful and emotive play is based on the true story of a number of W.I. members who famously posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund in 1999.

First off, let me say that this play is an ensemble piece where every cast member is as strong as the next cast member. This production is most certainly an ensemble piece and every one of these actors shone and complimented the next, so I can't possibly pick any of the cast out for being better than their colleagues.

Annie is played by Elizabeth Wolden. Kay Thomason Vardy plays Chris, Annie's best friend. Suzy Meeson makes her debut for Masque and plays Celia. Ruth is played by Rachel Fletcher. Paula McCrory plays Cora, the pianist for the Knapeley WI. Jessie, a retired teacher, is played by Jan Hodgetts and Liz Brennan plays Marie, the Chairperson of the local Women's Institute. They will make you laugh and they will make you cry.

John, Annie's husband, is played by Simon Brickell. Rod, Chris' husband, is played by Brian Brooks.

Tom Slack plays Lawrence, a porter at the local hospital whose penchant for photography comes in very handy for the calendar shoot. Lawrence's shyness is dispelled as soon as he gets behind the camera.

Justine Wells plays Brenda Hulse, the guest speaker drafted in by Marie to provide an interesting and informative evening's entertainment for the ladies of the Institute.

Ann Colgan plays Lady Cravenshire, the local aristocracy in the village.

Elaine, a make up artist who attends the photoshoot to bring out the best in the women, but brings out the worst in one of the ladies, is played by Lynn Roberts.

Liam, who is directing the shoot for the TV commercial the ladies have been asked to do, is played by Steven Ratcliffe.

Each one of these supporting cast actors provide some humour in their roles and are as important for that as the main cast.

Directed by Andrew Wolden, he succeeds in extracting wonderfully paced performances from his cast, whether it be in pathos or in humour. There's nothing more that Andrew could have done to bring this true and heartfelt story to life on this stage.

Masque Productions are collecting for Blood Cancer UK throughout the run so make sure that any cash you have spare, foldable or otherwise, finds its' way into their collection buckets.

"Calendar Girls" is at Mansfield Palace Theatre until Saturday 20 April.