Calamity Jane

~~The Deadwood Stage roared into Sutton Coldfield in this hit for the renamed Manor Musical Theatre Company. 

Barbara Hayward led the company as everyone’s favourite ‘Calamity Jane’.  From the opening number to the last bow; Manor sung their hearts and souls out.  Barry Styles played ‘Wild Bill Hickcock’ who played the role and sang well.  Susan Bushby had a fine cameo role as Adelaide Adams, the actress everyone wanted a picture of.  Beth Willis played her assistant Katie Brown who ended up at The Golden Garter.  Good support came from Lynne Ridge, Andy Hooper and Lia Cadman.  I must mention Paul Wozniak as Francis (With an I) Fryer, loved the dress.

This was the fist time that Barbara Hayward and Susan Bushby had produced and you would have never known.  Very professional.

The chorus sang and moved well under the direction of Maggie Moriarty.

The chorus sounded good and well rehearsed.  ‘The Black Hills of Dakota’, a favourite of mine, was just right.  Nice harmonies.  When Barbara sang ‘Secret Love’ the hairs stood up on the back of my neck.  Not only song well but she kept in accent throughout.  Not very often you hear that. 

The orchestra under the direction of Ian Hayward could not be faulted.

This was the kind of show the audience wanted.  Well done to you all.

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