Their story became one of the most popular British films ever made.

Now, it's coming to the Arts Club Theatre stage - and local actors are helping to make it happen.

Colleen Winton of New Westminster and David Marr of Burnaby are among the powerhouse cast in the new production of Calendar Girls, opening Jan. 26.

The story - which was made into a 2003 film starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters - is based on the true tale of a group of British women who hit upon a cheeky way to raise money for cancer research after one of their own loses her husband to cancer.

The play tells the story of this group of women "of a certain age" who bare it all - or almost - for a fundraising calendar.

The play, which was adapted from the screenplay in 2009, fleshes out some of the stories of the secondary characters in the film.

"I love all the aspects of celebration in this story - its celebration of community, friendship, risk-taking, beauty, and the credit it gives to people who have suffered a loss and find the courage to reach out to others," said director Rachel Ditor in a press release. "'Looking for the sun' when things are hard is an act of bravery and strength."

The Arts Club production stars Wendy Noel and Anna Galvin, with Winton, Marr, Shirley Broderick, Aslam Hussain, Shawn Macdonald, Jane Noble, Lisa Norton, Linda Quibell and Kerry Sandomirsky.

It's on at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville St. in Vancouver, from Jan. 26 to Feb. 26.

Tickets range from $29 to $65. Call the Arts Club box office at 604-687-1644 or see www.artsclub.com for more information.