Playwright
Sammy Fain (music), Paul Francis Webster (lyrics), adaptation by Phil Park and Ronald Hanmer
Director
Tracey Anderson
Overview
A musical Western adapted from the celebrated stage-play and film, Calamity Jane was a perfect 'fit' for Cheriton Players and after a year's delay we presented our 60th anniversary production in style. We were lucky enough to be able to stage the show in a barn at Middle Farm, Cheriton, courtesy of Mark Cheyney. We welcomed capacity audiences to a memorable sharpshootin', high kickin' production. many audience enjoyed the benefit of a licensed bar and a BBQ for each performance and there was a prize for the best dressed audience member(s)!
Calamity Jane dresses like a man, totes a gun and drives the Deadwood City stagecoach. Well-meaning, but disaster-prone, she tries to help the local saloon proprietor out of a jam by promising to fetch a music-hall star from Chicago. A hilarious comedy, it nevertheless has many tender moments and some very famous numbers, including ‘Secret Love’, ‘Black Hills Of Dakota’, ‘Deadwood Stage’ and ‘Windy City’.
Deadwood City’s two most famous peace officers, Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock, get involved in saving the neck of Henry Miller, the local saloon operator. It seems that ‘Millie’ has been promoting a beautiful actress named Frances Fryer, but Frances turns out to be a boy, Francis. Millie’s attempt to cover up is soon unmasked by the angry miners. To keep the peace, Calamity sets out for Chicago to bring back the miner’s real heart-throb, Adelaide Adams.
Winchester Today said “I think the Players should be more than happy with this HUGE accomplishment”. And biased as we are, we tend to agree: this was a mammoth undertaking with a big cast and many logistical issues, but Tracey Anderson (director), Craig Robertson (set design and construction) and her amazing team really pushed the boat out and put on an incredible show over five performances including a very popular matinée.
For the full review click here. To view the printed programme online, click here.
Show photos by Craig Robertson and Ali Carter.