DAME Helen Mirren has wished the Newport Playgoers good luck for their production of Calendar Girls.

Dame Helen was just one of the stars who sent good luck messages of support to the cast.

Lynda Bellingham, Charlie Dimmock, who starred in the stage version, and Tim Firth, author of both the film and stage versions, have sent in messages of support.

Dame Helen, who starred in the film, sent two photos, one with the message: “Best wishes for your production of Calendar Girls. May your run be a happy one.”

Other celebrity members of the film cast who sent good luck messages included Celia Imrie, John Alderton and Annette Crosbie.

Phil Mansell, of the playgoers’ publicity team, came up with the idea to ask the stars to send in messages of support.

He said, “I thought it would be a good idea to write to stars from both the film and stage version of Calendar Girls and ask them to send us messages of support and the result has been amazing.”

“The messages will be up for the run of the play, for which we’ve had to add two more performances due to public demand.

“The theatre bar will be transformed into a Women’s Institute fete, with a variety of stalls,” added Mr Mansell.

The Playgoers will also be bringing out a calendar in the style of the original produced by the Yorkshire Women’s Institute, with a donation from the sales going to a leukaemia charity.

Calendar Girls is at the Dolman Theatre, Newport, from June 10 to 15 at 7.15pm, with an matinee performance on the Saturday at 2.30pm.

To book tickets call 01633 263670 or visit dolmantheatre.co.uk