Abingdon Drama Club is set to perform a production of Calendar Girls this summer and has launched a fundraising campaign based on the show.

The production, directed by Alex Jenkins, will be performed at the Unicorn Theatre in Abingdon from July 10 to 13 at 7.30pm.

Central to the plot are Women's Institute members Chris Harper and Annie Clarke.

Oxford Mail: Abingdon Drama Club's production of Calendar GirlsAbingdon Drama Club's production of Calendar Girls (Image: Abingdon Drama Club)

Oxford Mail: Abingdon Drama Club's production of Calendar GirlsAbingdon Drama Club's production of Calendar Girls (Image: Abingdon Drama Club)

The middle-aged best friends find themselves grappling with the loss of Annie's husband, John, to cancer.

Chris suggests a fundraising idea for a new sofa for the family room at the hospital in John's memory - a nude calendar featuring the Women's Institute's members.

Her idea sets off a reaction of media frenzy and, while the calendar is a success, Chris and Annie's friendship is put to the test under the strain of their new-found fame.

Oxford Mail: Abingdon Drama Club's production of Calendar GirlsAbingdon Drama Club's production of Calendar Girls (Image: Abingdon Drama Club)

Oxford Mail: Abingdon Drama Club's production of Calendar GirlsAbingdon Drama Club's production of Calendar Girls (Image: Abingdon Drama Club)

Ms Jenkins said: “I like to direct plays that have lots of layers and emotion. Calendar Girls takes you on a roller coaster of emotion, from laughing out loud to ugly crying on the same page."

She added: "As part of our production Abingdon Drama Club has produced a Calendar Girls ‘style’ calendar which we will be selling to raise funds for Lymphoma Research (now known as Blood Cancer UK), the charity that inspired the iconic Calendar Girls.

"The calendar will tastefully depict implied nudity in theatrical situations, paying homage to the bravery and unwavering spirit of the original Calendar Girls."