Gary Barlow and Tim Firth talk about collaborating, what gives their Calendar Girls such universal appeal and why naked badminton is a no-no …

East Anglian Daily Times: Calendar Girls: Tthe Musical l-r- Rebecca Storm, Sue Devaney, Lisa Maxwell, Julia Hills, Ruth Madoc, Sarah-Jane-Buckley, Judy-Holt Photo: John SwannellCalendar Girls: Tthe Musical l-r- Rebecca Storm, Sue Devaney, Lisa Maxwell, Julia Hills, Ruth Madoc, Sarah-Jane-Buckley, Judy-Holt Photo: John Swannell (Image: Archant)

Calendar Girls is the story that keeps on giving. From staging a nude calendar to raising funds for their local hospital, the ladies of a Yorkshire branch of the Women's Institute became international superstars.

Twenty years ago, writer Tim Firth told their story in his hit screenplay. Still people couldn't get enough of this innately British tale, so Firth penned the equally acclaimed stage play. More recently, collaborating with old school friend Gary Barlow, the musical incarnation launched, with many calling it the best adaptation yet. Consistently selling out after more than a year on the road, this funny, profoundly moving and life-affirming tale continues to resonate. Did Tim ever dream that the story would have such staying power when he sat down to write the film two decades ago?

"I wrote the first scene on the morning of 9/11, so I can always place the date I began," he says quietly.

"I went down to London to write. I put the telly on at about quarter to one, and then of course I never turned it off again. But by then I had written the first scene of the film.

East Anglian Daily Times: Promotional image for The Girls, the new musical from Gary Barlow and Tim Firth, based on Firth's play and film Calendar Girls. Clockwise Gary Barlow, Tim Firth, Karen West, Vivien Parry, Harriet Thorpe, Shirley Jameson, Claire Moore, Sara Kestelman, Debbie Chazen, Claire Machin and Joanna Riding in The GirlsPromotional image for The Girls, the new musical from Gary Barlow and Tim Firth, based on Firth's play and film Calendar Girls. Clockwise Gary Barlow, Tim Firth, Karen West, Vivien Parry, Harriet Thorpe, Shirley Jameson, Claire Moore, Sara Kestelman, Debbie Chazen, Claire Machin and Joanna Riding in The Girls (Image: John Swannell)

"Like all things that you don't plan it had its own plan. What was hidden in the story of this calendar was something far greater; its most core constituent is the combatting of grief through comedy and that never goes away. That is why it has had the longevity that it has. The story applies to many more counties than Yorkshire and many more people than just the WI. It has a far wider canvas than just those coping with an illness. It is universal and that is the whole point of it; the pain of loss being defeated with wit."

Growing up in the same Cheshire village, Gary and Tim have been buddies since childhood. While Gary has written and co-written 14 number one singles, selling over 50 million records worldwide and notching up no less than six Ivor Novello Awards, Tim has won the Olivier Award and UK Theatre Award for Best New Musical and also the British Comedy Awards Best Comedy Film for Calendar Girls.

Having already seen his mate's film and stage play versions of Calendar Girls, by the time Gary came on board to compose the score for the musical he had already subconsciously started the soundtrack in his head.

"I heard it straight away," he admits. "When we started working Tim would give me a couple of pages of lyrics and then I'd come back with mini albums of songs. He would then, very cleverly, take a verse from one song and put it with the chorus of another. I'd get them back as structures and then maybe write new pieces. He gave me the freedom to be me," explains Gary, who still marvels at the courage of the original pin-up girls of the title.

"The bravery of these women in the face of adversity is at the heart of it all. That's the charm and it's what people relate to."

And with each new cast member who joins their happy band, Gary admits to being delighted by the quality of the talent.

"Producers David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers put amazing casts together," he tells me. "The difference with Calendar Girls is that we now have people coming back from the play into the musical but playing different parts," adds Tim.

"There is no other show where that can happen to the same degree. For instance, Lesley (Birds of a Feather's Lesley Joseph) was in the play as Chris. Then she came back into the musical playing Jessie."

With busy careers and several projects on the go at any given time, both chaps still make time to catch up with the production on tour.

"We have been keeping an eye on The Band (the Take That musical the pair worked on with the rest of the Take That boys) at the same time over the past year, so time has been slightly split. But we keep in contact with the cast and we'll definitely be going to see the new WI!" vows Tim, as Gary echoes his agreement.

Having seen the production with at least two different casts I observe that one thing that never changes is the audience reaction at the curtain call, which always includes thunderous applause and is rarely anything but a standing affair.

"They are certainly always in the same place at the end of it," Tim concedes "That phenomenal response has always been consistent."

The calendar itself comprised a genius set of photographs of ladies of the WI doing very traditional WI activities such as jam making, knitting and playing the piano. While Gary wanders off in search of a cup of tea, I ask Tim how he might pose for such a calendar - what passions does he have that could be translated into 'Mr July' type of posed shot?

"I'd have to hide behind a laptop," he laughs.

"Apart from writing and music the only other things I do regularly are running and badminton. Neither lends itself to nudity," he tells me firmly, batting aside my accusation that he's a spoilsport.

Steering the conversation back on to less blush-inducing territory, Tim pays tribute to Gary's music, which he credits with accelerating and developing the story.

"The songs are seamless; they lift you up like a magic carpet," he says, adding that working with his old pal means that there is little slog involved.

"It feels effortless, but then we have the same work ethic and we're from the same stock."

Returning from chatting with the cast, Gary plonks himself back down on the sofa.

"I am really looking forward to taking Calendar Girls back on the road and to new audiences. I think it's going to be amazing" he says, his smile as wide as the Yorkshire Dales.

I doubt he's wrong. In fact, if he is then I'll eat my hat. Or to quote one of Tim's famous lines: "I'll run round Skipton market naked, smeared in plum jam, wearing nothing but a knitted tea cosy on me head and singing Jerusalem."

Calendar Girls: The Musical is at Ipswich Regent until Saturday October 26