The true story of a group of WI members who posed for a charity calendar with a difference is being brought to life on the Mansfield stage.

Mansfield amateur dramatics society Masque Productions is presenting the hit comedy Calendar Girls at the Palace Theatre, from Wednesday 17th to Saturday, 20th April.

It follows the Yorkshire WI members who persuade one another to pose for the calendar.

But there are no more photos of Wharfedale bridges or Norman churches for them. Overcoming their initial reserve, the friends drop their dressing gowns, their modesty spared only by artfully-placed cakes, knitting, and flower arrangements.

Despite an outraged WI, they spark a global phenomenon. But as media interest snowballs, the Calendar Girls find themselves exposed in ways they’d never expected.

Masque has been performing famous shows and musicals at the Palace Theatre for more than 50 years — supporting charities at the same time. Having a strong history of putting on musicals, it has widened its offering in recent years to include plays and themed variety performances.

It usually performs twice a year on the Mansfield theatre’s stage.

Chairman and director Andrew Wolden said: “We like to think of ourselves as a forward-thinking society.

“We hope the list of our previous shows on our website demonstrates our happiness to perform the old traditional favourites, but equally that we do not shy away from arranging our own themed variety performances or performing the newer shows available for performance by amateur societies.

“Our goal is simple — we aim to give our audiences the best quality shows, performed by local people at their local theatre.”

Among the Masque cast are: Elizabeth Wolden (Annie), Kay Thomason Vardy (Chris), Paula McCrory (Cora), Jan Hodgetts (Jessie), Suzy Jane (Celia), Rachel Fletcher (Ruth), Liz Brennan (Marie), Ann Colgan (Lady Cravenshire), Justine Wells (Brenda Hulse), Simon Brickell (John), Brian Brooks (Rod), Thomas Slack (Lawrence), Lynn Roberts (Elaine), Steven Ratcliffe (Liam).

To buy tickets call the Box Office on 01623 463133 or go to www.mansfield.gov.uk/palacetheatre/whats/calendar-girls