Calamity Jane (Cradley Heath Amateur Operatic Society)

Due to my wonderful mother (sadly no longer with us) I was raised on a diet of Elvis Presley and Doris Day, so it is was particularly interesting to watch the Black Hills of Dakota taking root in Stourbridge Town Hall for Cradley Heath Amateur Operatic Society (CHAOS) and their production of Calamity Jane and it seriously felt like I was back in the 'Old West' in Deadwood City at the Golden Garter.

Henry Miller (certainly a fizzy sarsaparilla of a comedy performance from J. Paul Murdock) and his neice Susan (played by Bek Millward) are struggling to find a star-turn for his establishment (the aforementioned 'Golden Garter') and the male dominated audience. He believes he has found an actress called Frances Fryer to calm the testosterone fuelled frenzy but, this is not Frances, it is Francis a talented actor but, certainly not the feminine charms expected although willing to don a dress and attempt to fool the locals (a talented all round performance from Adam Partridge).

Meanwhile Calamity Jane (a triumphant portrayal from Liz Compton), frontierswoman (although not wanting to give in to her own feminine side) is able to control the situation with the aid of her guns at least until an alternative can be found. Only acceptable alternative is 'national heartthrob' Adelaide Adams, the rare cigarette card that all the guys want (bit like looking for Mayfair in McDonald's Monopoly as a modern simile) but, she is in Chicago so Calamity is off to find her.

Let's take a break in the action to talk 'love interest', Calamity is somewhat smitten with Lt Danny Gilmartin (from the US Cavalry) an upstanding, officer-like performance from Thomas Lloyd-Price but, he doesn't return the love as he's looking for a more womanly woman. Meanwhile there is a more man-to-man connection with local 'gunslinger' Wild Bill Hickok (a supreme portrayal from Richard Probert, his rendition of 'Higher than a Hawk' is simply out of this world) but, watch this space reader things are about to change.

Back with Calamity in Chicago she misses the real Adelaide Adams (a great little cameo performance from Salli Gage) but, meets her maid Katie Brown (the performance of the night from Emma Newton) and mistakes her for the real performer, giving Katie the opportunity she has always craved to take to the stage.

Back in Deadwood, Katie keeps up the facade until she finally gets her chance to perform and realises that she is no Adelaide but, she is an amazing Katie and manages to quell the rising anger from the crowd. Moving in with Calamity her very feminine ways start to pass on to her host as they tidy and spruce-up her previously rough log cabin. Both Danny and Bill have fallen for Katie in a big way but, once Bill sees Calamity for the woman she really is, he realises she is the one for him.

It's a 'happily ever after story' with not one or two but, three weddings, Bill & Calamity, Danny & Katie and Francis & Susan, staged and performed impeccably under the direction of Steve Humpherson (Director), Edd Caine (Musical Director) and Emma Newton (Choreographer (not content with just an awesome performance !)).

Feel an absolute need to make two further mentions, firstly the barmaid everybody would want in their Pub, be it the Golden Garter or anywhere else, an enthusiastic and well appreciated performance from Kitty Roberts and a team of incredible dancers, Tracey Thompson, Sarah Chater, Lisa Coulter, Ellisha Morris and Adele Reynolds.

Grab your tickets while you can before that Deadwood Stage disappears over the hill, probably in the direction of the Windy City !



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