WHEN Annie’s John dies of Leukaemia, she and her friend Chris resolve to raise money for the local hospital. They persuade four fellow Womens’ Institute members to pose nude with them for an alternative calendar, with a little help from hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence. The news spreads like wildfire and hoards of press soon descend on their small village in the Yorkshire Dales.

The calendar is a huge success, but Chris and Annie’s friendship is put to the test under the strain of their new-found fame.

Bursledon Players present Calendar Girls by Tim Firth at Bursledon Village Hall from Thursday to Saturday.

For more details, visit bursledonplayers.org.uk n WHAT should have been a quiet night at an Italian restaurant is thrown into chaos by an inept waiter, the antics of an inebriated hen party and the interference of a pompous businessman. To make matters worse, there’s a rat loose on the premises and a lollipop man stuck in the toilet. And that’s before the first course has arrived in Dish of the Day, Minstead Players’ latest comedy at Minstead Hall tonight and tomorrow night.

Tickets are available from the village shop or on the door.