CALAMITY JANE

Calamity Jane is a musical western based on a historical frontierswoman and her professional associate Wild Bill Hickok – but the plot is entirely fictitious! The show is a huge favourite with audiences – nearly always resulting in full houses and they love to sing “The Black Hills of Dakota” with the Overture!

With around 100 children to fit on the stage, the Set was sensibly simple. Two L shaped pieces on trucks provided all that was needed – one L side was dressed as the Golden Garter bar and the other Adelaide’s dressing room. The other sides were plain wood (planks?) onto which ‘windows’ were cleverly hung for the cabin. The ‘Anthony Fairley Magic Table’ which transformed from plain mugs on wooden surface to tablecloth laid tea set was a lovely surprise for the audience and props throughout the show were suitable. Lighting and Sound were fine and Costumes a mixture of good character costumes from Utopia and chorus costumes, probably gathered from the company wardrobe department and other sources. Some were more suitable than others but then – costuming 100 people is difficult and could be expensive.

Leading lady Nicole Bell was a very competent Calamity, Nicole was a natural comedienne and played the feisty, boastful and yet desperate to impress character so well. Her raucous voice was strong and convincing yet her singing of “Secret Love” was surprisingly sweet. Anna Farrelly played Katie Brown, the stage struck theatre dresser in gentle appealing way. Her rendition of “Keep it under your Hat” was assured when told to ‘do it your way Katie’, - perhaps she should have started a little more tentatively and worked up to ‘assured’! Her relationship with Calamity was believable  and their duet “A Woman’s Touch” was delightful. Rhys Waterworth made a good Bill Hickok with secure vocals. He looked the part and had good onstage rapport with Nichole. Cameron Beattie showed promise in his role as Lt. Danny Gilmartin, the young officer from the nearby fort, and blended well with Anna in “Love You Dearly”. Michael Nevin was a manic Henry Miller, who was totally committed to his role! I really felt his frustration when the missing Frances Fryer turned out to be a man! Adam Patterson, who was said Francis Fryer, teased lots of comedy from his role and his soft shoe shuffle ‘weather dance’ was well executed. Laura Robb made a delightful Susan and Sarah Littler took the small but important part of Adelaide Adams – a vaudeville star who was worshipped by all the men but was, in truth, a selfish and conceited woman. Other small roles such as Hank & Pete (Peter Copes & Jack Cranston), barman Joe (Issac O’Brien), the Colonel (Jay Pearson) and Rattlesnake (Katie Shanks) all added essence to the plot – the latter being un-recognisable as a girl and hilarious as the seedy Western old-timer. Proof that there is no such thing as a small part……!

Simon had the mammoth task of directing this huge cast of young people. He started by selecting a fine group of principals and included all the chorus wherever possible. Choreographers Michelle and Rea, through simple movement, had the whole ensemble well drilled and created an impressive overall effect. MD Geoffrey led his small band and the cast on stage effectively from his position at the keyboard. Gaps between scenes were well covered when necessary. Gill McQuade must have had quite a job co-ordinating this biggest ever Garvey Youth project and is to be congratu;lated for the society’s inclusiveness. Everyone did a good job and I thank them for their invitation.

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