Calamity Jane

To make this show a success any society needs to have a strong contender in the title role who can act, sing, Jane Ellaway portrayed Calamity with ease and delighted the audience each time she entered the stage. A particular favourite was Secret Love which Jane had them in the palm of her hands when she sang it.

Jane was and do some dancing, here Dewsbury Collegians had chosen a lady who had all three of these attributes joined on stage by Jason Sykes who played Wild Bill Hickok, again Jason too was able to display a fine singing voice and quality acting to bring this character to life, Jane and Jason were also joined by Hayley Thompson and Paul Metcalf as Katie Brown and Lieut. Danny Gilmartin, these two managed to get everything from their respective characters, none more so than when they sang Love You Dearly which was nothing less than beautiful.

At the start of this show the hotel owner, Henry Miller played by Rob Ellaway is awaiting a new act for his theatre. He thinks he is awaiting for a female actor when in actual fact it is a male one who turns up, Frances Fryer played by Jordan Barker who’s comedic talents were put to good use, Frances falls head over heels for Henry Miller’s niece, Susan played by Tanya Prior who when she joined Jordan on stage was able to make this character very believable.

When Calamity goes to Chicago in search of Adelaide Adams who all the men in Deadwood have fallen for she mistakes Katie Brown for the star Adelaide, however before Calam finds Katie we are treated to a song and dance from the real Adelaide played by Sarah Bullers. Sarah was able to make this part her own and delighted the audience when she sang It’s Harry I’m Planning to Marry, it was delightful.

One of the highlights of this show is of course Black Hills of Dakota which was sung by then entire company, this they did really well; however I did feel the orchestra was a little loud. They were fine when the principals were singing as they all had mics but when the full company were on stage it was a little difficult to hear.

Despite my comments above I have to say the orchestra was excellent and did produce a great sound, maybe for future productions the sound balance could be looked at.

Congratulations must go to Ian Stead as Director and Choreographer and James Rodgers as Musical Director plus everyone else involved in this production. 

 

 

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