Joanna Riding and Claire Moore to Star in Barlow & Firth's THE GIRLS Musical in Leeds

According to the Daily Mail, Gary Barlow and Tim Firth have found their leading ladies for their new British musical THE GIRLS, based on the true story and the award-winning play by Tim Firth, Calendar Girls.

Joanna Riding and Claire Moore will star in the world premiere, playing the Grand Theatre Leeds from Saturday 14 November to Saturday 12 December and at the Lowry Salford from Wednesday 13 to Saturday 30 January 2016.

Both actresses appeared in Barlow & Firth's workshop this month, along with Sally Dexter, Debbie Chazen, Michelle Dotrice, Rachel Lumberg and Harriet Thorpe, as well as Ben Hunter, Chloe May Jackson and Jake Mitchell. The company will try out another workshop in a few weeks before the show begins rehearsals for its Leeds run, and it seems the whole team is set to reunite onstage in the full production.

Riding, who recently played 'Cinderella's Mother' in Rob Marshall's film version of INTO THE WOODS, has appeared in the West End in INTO THE WOODS, MY FAIR LADY, THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK, OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR, GUYS AND DOLLS, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and CAROUSEL, as well as the UK tour of MARTIN GUERRE.

Among Moore's London stage credits are THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, MISS SAIGON, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, CAMELOT and the world premiere of PUTTING IT TOGETHER. She has also appeared on Broadway in MY LADY MOLLY.

THE GIRLS is inspired by the true story of a group of ladies, who decide to appear nude for a Women's Institute calendar in order to raise funds to buy a settee for their local hospital, in memory of one of their husbands. This musical comedy shows life in their Yorkshire village, how it happened, the effect on husbands, sons and daughters, and how a group of ordinary ladies achieved something extraordinary.

Gary Barlow and Tim Firth grew up in the same village in the north of England and have been friends for 25 years. With Take That, Gary has written and co-written 14 number one singles, has sold over 50 million records worldwide and is a six times Ivor Novello Award winner. Tim has won the Olivier Award and UK Theatre Award for Best New Musical, and the British Comedy Awards Best Comedy Film for Calendar Girls.

THE GIRLS will be directed by Roger Haines and Tim Firth, designed by Rob Jones, with comedy staging by Jos Houben, lighting design by Tim Lutkin and sound design by Terry Jardine and Nick Lidster.

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research will receive monies from this musical. THE GIRLS will be produced by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers.

Photo Credit: Darren Bell