It is known for its cheeky subject matter but Calendar Girls has been winning plaudits for its heart warming story as it packed in punters for a six-night eight-show run in Wolverhampton.

The risqué tale, about a group of Women’s Institute members who produced a nude calendar to raise money for Leukaemia Research after the death of one’s husband, got off to a flying start in from of a sell-out crowd at the Grand Theatre on Monday night.

The show features as star-studded cast, including Lynda Bellingham, who has starred in shows such as The Sweeney and At Home With the Braithwaites, Jennifer Ellison, former Coronation Street star Rula Lenska, and ex-Hi-di-Hi actor Ruth Madoc.

Speaking before opening night at the Lichfield Street venue, Linda and Ruth revealed their shock when they first realised appearing in the show may involve being naked on stage.

But they are now veterans of the show, having competed numerous tours, and they are adamant that the story – not the flesh – is taking centre stage.

Linda, aged “When I got my very first script, I was reading the play and it is fantastic and the last thing you think about is the nakedness because it is such a heart-warming story, and then I turned to the last page seeing they all go on the hill and do Tai Chi among the sunflowers.”

Lynda, now aged 63, said: “When I got my very first script, I was reading the play and it is fantastic and the last thing you think about is the nakedness because it is such a heart-warming story – and then I turned to the last page seeing they all go on the hill and do Tai Chi naked among the sunflowers.”

Despite her surprise she has now become very comfortable with the role of Chris, the driving force behind the calendar.

“I do get naked but you don’t see a lot,” she said. “I have got flowers in various places – And I have loved very minute of it. I have got very blase about it.”

She added that it was not just women who were coming to see the show now.

“People are coming back and they are bringing their husbands, and it is nice to have male input because it is all about a man, and his death.”

Ruth Madoc, who plays Celia, added: “When this was first done it was quite a risqué thing to do but I think people come for the story now. There’s the added attraction of seeing Jennifer Ellison’s bottom but that is all they see.”

The 68-year old added that it was great to be back at The Grand, a venue she first graced in 1968.

“I have played The Grand on numerous occasions and the first time was in 1968 when I did Under Milk Wood,” she said.

“I have to say I remember one great thing was that the acoustics are marvellous.

“We didn’t have any microphones, as we don’t in this play, and I remember thinking they were super.”

Calendar Girls runs at 7.30pm nightly until Saturday, with matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm.

By Matthew Viney