IT seems as if every musical known to Am Dram has been given a makeover and sent out on tour; and they're all coming to Manchester. Production values are high; there's a wealth of musical theatre talent in the UK and sound technology advances make sure we can hear every word with neither distortion nor distancing.
There is an element of truth in the story. There was once a Calamity Jane. She could handle a gun, met Bill Hickok, and joined an expedition to 'The Black Hills of Dakota'
This week it's the turn of The Palace Theatre to host Calamity Jane, riding in and out of the Windy City, protecting pioneer folks from Indian attacks. The show is based on the 1953 film of the same name. 'Native Americans' have yet to be respected, and Jane is a poster girl for Hollywood's post-World War II desire to fit women back in the kitchen. The show is about following your dreams and being anything you want to be, so long as it's within your prescribed gender role. But the songs are great, the singing impressive and the staging and dancing entertaining.
The town of Deadwood suits its name, and the most entertaining activity for the menfolk is finding a cigarette card depicting Adelaide Adams. They smoke so many cigarettes the town has turned tobacco coloured and the men are seriously deprived of female company. Calamity doesn't fill the bill; she dresses in buckskin and shoots better than most of the town. She even exaggerates better than the men. But she's kind-hearted and helps out show-promoter Henry Miller by promising to recruit current idol Adelaide Adams and bring her back from Chicago to perform in his saloon. That she mistakenly brings back dresser Katie Brown instead provides a further American Dream story-opportunity and associated plot twists. All ends well. Calamity helps Katie with her confidence and Katie gets Calamity to wear a dress, gorge on housework, and get her man.
Jody Prenger, with her keen sense of timing aided by a gravelly voice and a great stage presence, perfectly suits the role of Calamity, making Jane a believable character rather than just the figure of fun seen in some productions. She's a nifty dancer too.
Phoebe Street as Katie Brown has a sweet and strong singing voice; her portrayal of a young lady developing through her dreams is convincing, even in the housework scene. Tom Lister as Wild Bill Hickok has a strong, engaging stage presence, popular with the largely female audience. His interaction with other characters is effective, particularly when portraying a character who lives by his own rules. Alex Hammond as Danny has a consistent and effectively understated charm and grace. All can dance too.
Casting has assembled a talented troupe. Ensemble singing is full and deep, with beautiful harmonies supported by an on-stage orchestra of accompanying actor musicians who can also dance. Praise is due to Catherine Jayes for orchestration and musical supervision. The set by designer Matthew Wright is inventive, with a piano put to novel use as a train and a stage coach. Sebastian Frost's sound design is faultless. Choreography by Nick Winston is lively, demanding and entertaining, pushing up the energy of what can be a rather static show and respecting the hoe-down character of the music.
There is an element of truth in the story. There was once a Calamity Jane. She could handle a gun, met Bill Hickok, and joined an expedition to 'The Black Hills of Dakota'. It's the Hollywood happy-ever-after ending that's more in doubt. I doubt that last piece of information is a 'spoiler'.
The dated attitudes of the characters does grate, even despite the slight air of irony which appears at times. Jane's Really?! towards the climax of the housekeeping orgy made up for some of that. To enjoy this show you need to park your modern sensibilities and enjoy the songs. Secret Love, Windy City and Deadwood Stage don't appear to date. The Black Hills of Dakota, with its gentle horse-drawn-carriage rhythm, draws people to sing along, quietly, so as to keep the complex stage ensemble harmonies at the forefront. There must have been an Am Dram crowd sitting behind me.
Manchester will see plenty of original, inventive and challenging theatre work in the months to come. There's room for these classic musicals, a part of our theatre history, particularly when performed with such verve and talent. Just don't go expecting a feminist tale of a woman in a man's world.
You might want to take some extra cash with you too. The cast are supporting the charity Hope for Justice, which rescues victims of people trafficking in the UK and abroad. They organised a sponsored cycle to their Manchester run, and there's a collection at the end.
Calamity Jane runs at Manchester Palace Theatre until Saturday 28th March - tickets here
