Calamity Jane – Jodie Prenger as Calamity Jane & Tom Lister as Wild Bill Hickok. Photo credit Manuel Harlan
Foot-tapping sing-along fun.
Taking a seat in the packed theatre you may have been slightly crestfallen to see there wasn’t an orchestra; little did the audience realise the amazing ingenuity and musicianship that was to be displayed.
The hardworking multi-talented ensemble of fifteen for this version of Calamity Jane were superlative in every aspect, the show was staged brilliantly. The high energy displayed in the hoe dances vibrantly choreographed.
Jodie Prenger as Calamity Jane. Photo credit Manuel Harlan
The story, if you aren’t familiar with it, is a western set in Deadwood ,South Dakota near Black Hills, loosely based on real people Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickcock. Calamity (Jodie Prenger) is a boisterous boastful character who dresses and acts like a man, and has a tendency to exaggerate while Wild Bill (Tom Lister) is a big strong tough guy. Their relationship is best described in the duet ‘I can do without you’ with comical quarrelling lyrics.
It is hard to pick a standout performance,but Paul Kissan, as Rattlesnake, has to be mentioned so delightful was his performance. You could tell all the performers were enjoying themselves, their energy was infectious and the audience thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Musical theatre at the top of its game; it will be showing at the Theatre Royal until Saturday and tickets are still available from http://www.trch.co.uk/
Anne Opal
