It was a pleasure to welcome Coleshill On Stage back to Bfame. It has been quite some time since the society last worked with us, and what a production to return with. Calamity Jane remains one of musical theatre’s most enduring classics, blending comedy, romance, friendship and a generous helping of Wild West adventure, and Coleshill On Stage delivered an entertaining evening packed with energy, charm and some excellent vocal performances.
Being a family favourite, and with my father always having a bit of a thing for Doris Day, I honestly can’t remember the first time I watched the film. I do, however, remember seeing Toyah Willcox take on the lead role in the West End many moons ago. So I think it’s fair to say I have a little soft spot for this musical.
Why? Well…
Set in the bustling frontier town of Deadwood, South Dakota, Calamity Jane follows the outspoken and fiercely independent Calamity Jane as she navigates life in the Wild West alongside legendary gunslinger Wild Bill Hickok. After promising to bring a famous actress to Deadwood, Calamity accidentally arrives with the actress’s maid, Katie Brown, instead. As Katie quickly becomes the toast of the town, friendships are tested, misunderstandings multiply, and hidden feelings begin to surface. Through toe-tapping musical numbers, comedy and heartfelt moments, Calamity gradually discovers that there is more to life than bravado and that sometimes love appears where you least expect it.
At the heart of the production was Siobhan Thornley as Calamity Jane, taking on one of musical theatre’s most iconic leading roles. Siobhan captured both the rough-and-ready confidence and the vulnerability of the character, delivering a performance that carried the show from start to finish. Whether trading insults with Wild Bill or revealing Calamity’s softer side, Siobhan gave a believable and engaging portrayal, one that I really liked. Make no mistake, Siobhan wasn’t just there for her character portrayal. Her voice was excellent throughout.
Opposite her, Dean Wilson brought plenty of charisma to Wild Bill Hickok. The chemistry between the two leads developed naturally throughout the evening, giving weight to the show’s central relationship and ensuring their musical numbers landed effectively.
Hope Goodyear impressed as Katie Brown, portraying the character’s journey from newcomer to Deadwood darling with confidence and warmth. Her vocals were particularly strong and helped make the romantic subplot both engaging and believable. When Hope and Siobhan teamed up for A Woman’s Touch, we were treated to two performers at the very top of their game.
Daniel Butler as Lt. Danny Gilmartin added another layer of character and charm to the production. This is not the easiest of roles to tackle, but Daniel made an excellent job of it. I especially loved the quartet with Hope, Dean and Siobhan during the powerhouse number Black Hills of Dakota.
Comedy was supplied in abundance by Rob Sharratt as Henry Miller, while Noah Gray gave an energetic performance as Francis Fryer. Together they provided many of the laughs that keep the show moving at a brisk pace. Back to Noah for a second. With two eyes, I really enjoyed your performance. You’re clearly an actor who works a lot with his facial expressions, and we could read everything we needed to know from them. Excellent work, Noah.
Among the supporting cast, Bex Harding stood out as Adelaide Adams, with Millie Haddon providing strong support as Susan.
The wider cast all contributed effectively to creating the atmosphere of Deadwood, with performances from Nick Parker (Rattlesnake), David Wade (Doc Pierce), Tom Willson (Joe), Miles Baker (Hank), Cullen McCormick (Pete) and Daniel Gribben-Lisle (Colonel Stark) helping to populate the town with colourful and memorable characters.
Director Tom Willson assembled a production that embraced the fun and nostalgia of this much-loved musical. The pacing is all important and I’m pleased to report that it remained strong throughout, while the large company scenes were well staged and full of life. Tom’s clearly a director who know how to get the best out of his players and the story, all of that whilst pouring drinks behind the bar.
Musically, the show benefited from the direction of Michelle King, whose work ensured popular numbers such as The Deadwood Stage, Black Hills of Dakota and Secret Love were delivered with confidence and enthusiasm.
The choreography by Izzie Larkin brought movement and energy to the ensemble numbers, while the costumes and visual presentation successfully transported the audience to the Wild West setting. I really liked all of these, Izzie. Excellent job. Loved the Can-Can!
Special credit should also go to Assistant Director Angela Ivis-Peach, Stage Manager Dorian Pratt, and the extensive backstage team whose work supported the performance throughout.
Calamity Jane succeeds because of its combination of humour, heart and memorable music, and Coleshill On Stage embraced all three elements. The production showcased a committed cast, some strong principal performances and the clear enjoyment of everyone involved.
Most importantly, it felt fitting to welcome Coleshill On Stage back to Bfame after their time away. If this production is anything to go by, it’s a return we hope won’t be quite so long in repeating.
Now… where’s my stagecoach?
Reviewed by – David T
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