Calamity Jane at the New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham Review
Calamity Jane
New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
15-18 June 2016
Reviewed by Katy Nettleton
I think I may have been the only person who has never seen Calamity Jane before, although I have often been told I remind people of her (now I realise why!) and was quite excited to watch the show. I went with my friend who holds a soft spot for this story and remembers watching Calamity and all her antics with her family growing up – so we were able to compare our thoughts!
The story follows a lively Calamity Jane, who may not tell lies but likes to exaggerate the trust (shall we say) who has a soft spot for her very on lieutenant Danny Gilmartin (played by Mark Walsh). The story is set in the Wild Wild Deadwood where there is no real “action” for many of the women and Calamity finds herself being a woman in a man’s world and dresses very masculine and quite readily available to use her gun!
The first opening set was good in terms of setting the scene, however as the stage coach was being pushed by the “stage crew” it did look a little out of sync (if that makes sense). However, the scene returns to a bar in which you began to get the feeling that Calam only ever wanted the best for others, but sadly was a little disaster prone (which is why I have been called Calam a few times!).
The staging was very simple but yet effective, although I did think the stage for the show could have been dressed up more however as this was set in the Wild Wild West they probably didn’t have motorised staging then!
The story is told through a variation of songs and acting, although for me it was the acting which let the show down as the music was exceptional (with new songs that you wouldn’t have heard before!) and singers including chorus was spine tickling. You could tell that Calamity Jane (played by Faye O’Leary) had watched the original and was mimicking some of the characteristics of the original character (according to Gemma) however with Alistair Joliffe (playing Wild Bill Hickock) it felt a little wooden or too staged to watch. I know this sounds rather peculiar but it felt like he was trying to act like someone rather than be a character and with him often talking and singing out of the side of his mouth it became quite difficult to watch. I am not sure if this is just my unprofessional opinion but Gemma also mentioned this (without me speaking aloud). I would like to say that vocally and script wise I cannot rate this production highly enough and all the audience was loving clapping along and you could hear a pin drop as the audience was so engrossed in the show.
As the production continued you began to get the feeling of the feminine side of Calamity Jane and through her bringing Katie Brown (played by Carys Wilson) back to Deadwood you started to sense that Calamity just wanted to be one of the girls but with her own unique twist. The voices of Katy Brown and Calamity Jane when they came together was amazing! The depth and clarity in their voices made you engrossed in the show.
Towards the end of the show there was a little twist in the story (for those who had not watched it previously) and Calamity did not get her love of her life… or did she? It was not the ending I had suspected and really enjoyed the twist.
Overall I would give this show 3.5 out of 5, but 5 out of 5 for the music and singing.
Rating: 3.5/5
Tickets cost from £12.90 to £29.90 (plus £4 transaction fee).
Calamity Jane is at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until 18 June 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 3011.
New Alexandra Theatre, Suffolk Queensway, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 4DS
