Calamity Jane

On the night I attended, the Blackburn Musical Theatre Company performed 'Calamity Jane' at the Empire Theatre to a capacity crowd. It was a delightful and sadly an increasingly rare sight to witness such a full audience for a classic musical.

‘Calamity Jane’ is a spirited musical that transports audiences to the world of the Wild West. The story revolves around the legendary frontierswoman Calamity Jane, known for her sharpshooting skills and fearless attitude. Set in the lively town of Deadwood, South Dakota, Calamity Jane embarks on a series of adventures, including her unlikely friendship with the glamorous Katie Brown and her efforts to win the affection of her close friend, Wild Bill Hickok.

Filled with catchy tunes like "The Black Hills Of Dakota" and "The Deadwood Stage," the musical combines romance and humour.  Calamity's transformation from rough-and-tumble to a more refined woman of the West is at the heart of this toe-tapping, feel-good production.

As the orchestra were playing the overture, many of the audience members started to sing along with ‘The Black Hills Of Dakota’ which would normally have irritated me but for some reason, I found it quite reassuring, and it must have given the cast on stage waiting for the curtains to open quite the boost.

As the curtains opened ‘The Golden Garter’ set the stage for 'Calamity Jane.' Lucy Roberts embodied the titular character with flair, though at times grappling with higher notes. Her portrayal guided us through the narrative, breathing life into the iconic character.

Jason Shields delivered a commendable 'Wild Bill Hickock,' complementing Lucy, albeit occasionally hindered by a strong Southern drawl that obscured some lines—redeemed, however, by his captivating singing.

Jennifer Whiteside shone as 'Katie Brown,' delivering a standout performance that encapsulated the role's joyous spirit.  

 Alex Laing's fresh take on 'Lt Danny Gilmartin' injected a vibrant energy into the character, offering a youthful interpretation that was a refreshing departure.  Alex really came into his own when singing.

Katie Fry's choreography infused the numbers with vitality, though the numbers occasionally seemed overcrowded, hindering a full appreciation of her work.

Under the adept Musical Direction of Nick Sanders, the chorus numbers resonated with power and he exhibited excellent control of the band throughout the evening.  I do think the addition of just one violin would have brough a great sounding orchestra into an excellent one.

Co-Directors Tony Fry and Gary H Worthy displayed an understanding of the show, presenting a clear and vivid vision that brought 'Calamity Jane' to life.

Heartfelt thanks to BMTC for reviving one of my favourite films on stage, delivering an evening of sheer entertainment that was warmly embraced by the enthusiastic audience!

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