Calamity Jane

An old favourite of mine “Calamity Jane” is good old fashioned feel good musical that still seems to attracts’ a reasonable box office. I have always regarded it as a good show to attract new members, particularly male because everybody has seen the film. It is light-hearted and has no difficult musical numbers.

It this excellent production there was fine, solid performances from all major principles, supported by a well drilled, enthusiastic chorus. I particularly liked the simple set that I thought was very effective. For a change “Calamity” was not a traditional stereotype blond Doris Day look alike. She was a very petit, possibly a little too young, but was a real fire cracker, with great stage presence, who really lived the character and I thought that she was outstanding throughout the production. She made a very impressive entrance on top of a magnificent looking Stage Coach, but unfortunately the opening number was spoilt because the orchestra was too loud and the sound engineer seemed to forget to turn on the microphones. However the technical problems were soon over come and did not spoilt the overall effect. The Musical Director was very apologetic when I spoke to him during the interval

I have said many times that, you always know that a production has reached the mark and created the right illusion, when it brings a tear to your eye. In this superb show there were several times throughout the evening that this happen. In particularly during the second act when the bond between “Calamity & Bill” really came over to the audience.

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