“C’lam” slays ‘em
For those who remember the film, Doris Day, Howard Keel and others form the 1950’s film are hard acts to follow, but the Barking MAD’s production of “Calamity Jane“, proved a real hit with the audience as the cast threw themselves energetically and enthusiastically into this timeless musical.
Moving to the new Broadway Theatre in Barking seemed to inspire the cast and the settings and staging of the numbers were exceptional. It must be difficult to convey 1890‘s America, but the B.MAD production team did the business,
Backed by a youthful and tuneful orchestra, the cast sang the well known songs from the show, “Deadwood Stage“, “Black Hills of Dakota“, Windy City, with gusto as the audience were swept back to the Wild West complete with injuns, sheriffs and Yankee cavalry.
A particular favourite was the cast singing “Black Hills of Dakota”, a lovely tune which demands to be delivered well and the cast responded with a fine rendition.
Such a show though depends on having just the right person in the lead. Step forward Mary Curran, who played C’lam as if born to the part. This is a demanding role but Mary never seemed ill at ease or uncomfortable and managed to lead the singing in the high production numbers as well as inject just the right amount of tenderness in the softer songs like “Secret Love”. Doris Day is a very hard act to follow, but Mary did herself proud.
Mary had excellent support from the rest of the cast, particularly Philip Cable as Wild Bill Hickock and Daryl Kane as Francis Fryer. The latter being especially comic during the scene where he tries to explain the mix up which brings Katie Brown instead of Adelaide Adams to Deadwood.
And what about our Steve, Stephen Gilson. All along he’s been saying he only had one line, but obviously his roles have developed during rehearsals and on the night he is revealed as an integral part of the show, delivering his many lines with his usual consummate ease.
As to the venue, not only did this seem to suit the cast better, but it certainly offers better facilities for the audience, which only added to the enjoyment.
As it said in the show’s programme, say the name “Calamity Jane” and you think of Doris Day. Well from now for those of us who saw Mary and cast, we will think in future of B.MAD’s production.
Here’s to the next production!!!
Marion, Tony and Matthew Robbins.
© July 2006.