Calamity Jane

Calamity Jane is one of the older, popular musicals packed full of fun and well known, immediately recognisable tunes so it’s little wonder that the audience was humming along after the first few bars of the overture.

The opening,’The Deadwood Stage’ got the show off to a flying start with the company in fine voice. Indeed the choral singing throughout was most impressive with harmonies loud and clear especially in ‘The Black Hills of Dakota’ when the company entered through the auditorium before lining up on stage.

Calamity Jane herself is rarely off the stage and is a most demanding role and Katie Bell was made for the part. She gave a strong, assured performance never faltering in her tomboyish swagger and mannerisms as the rough and ready, brusque Calamity Jane belting out her musical numbers. The transition in character when she makes an attempt at femininity then realising that Bill is the man for her and not Danny was well portrayed and ‘Secret Heart’ sung with passion and sincerity.

There is ongoing conflict between Calamity and Wild Bill Hickock. Tommie Travers was a most charismatic Bill, subtle in his responses to Calamity . His ‘Higher Than a Hawk’ was delivered with real ease and meaning showing off his fine voice.

There are many ‘mix ups’ and lots of confusion in this musical comedy.

Much of the action takes place in ‘The Golden Garter’ club where John Lauder gave a commanding performance as the frenetic Henry Miller the club proprietor trying to keep everybody and everything under control when so many things appear to be going wrong. The first set back is the arrival of FrancIs Fryer a young man instead of the expected FrancEs a female entertainer. Martijn Van Waveren brought real comedy to the part as he is forced to appear in drag with his song and dance routine ‘Hive Full of Honey' which was full of character. Mariel Main was a flirty, coquettish Susan, Henry’s niece, eventually finding love with Francis.

Poppy Cooke gave a most demure performance as Katie Brown the maid of the much adored Adelaide Adams who Calamity has promised to bring to Deadwood City. The change in her character and singing voice when she is the shy imposter Adelaide to the real genuine Katie was well handled. Totally relaxed in her performance, she and Joe Whittington, the dashing Lieutenant Danny Gilmarton were a most believable couple, their voices blending well in the tender ‘Love You Dearly’.

The real Adelaide Adams was played with real style by Sylvia Cowie.

The many supporting charcters all gave note worthy performances- Paul Cooke (Doc Pierce), Kenneth Anderson (Rattlesnake), Mark Wilson (Joe), Calum Beveridge (Hank), Kenneth Anderson (Colonel Stark) and Adelaide’s admirers Jamie McDonald, Paul Strilich and Sam Webster. The dancing girls at the cabaret were slick and looked very glamorous in their cancan outfits.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable production supported by a small but well controlled orchestra. The colourful period costumes and effective lighting enhanced this lively, musically sound production which was most entertaining and very well received by the capacity audience. A real crowd pleaser from this small but dynamic company. Very well done.

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