DEADWOOD Dakota's Golden Garter Saloon has arrived in Mytholmroyd and so has Adam Smith's cracking Calamity Jane, performed with tremendous zest and conviction by St Michael's Amateurs, writes Julia Anderson.
Tomboy Calamity promises to bring singer Adelaide Adams from Chigago to perform there, only to discover thanks to Katie Brown, Adelaide's maid (whom she mistakes for the singing star) the femininity lurking be-neath her tough-talking, hard-drinking p
ersona and her secret love for Wild Bill Hickock.
Rebecca Cawthra brought great spirit to the demanding role of Calamity, though her words were not always audible. As Wild Bill Hickock Ian Smith was well-mannered and charming, singing strongly and suitably amorous, as was Timothy Ordway's Danny Gilmartin who falls for Katie, played with sincerity and clarity by Yvonne White.
There were notable performances from Karl Boggis as Francis Fryer, Pete Brearley as bar owner Henry Miller, Kayleigh Smith as his niece Susan, and Sian Smith as the can-can dancer.
The chorus was in fine voice and its rendition of The Black Hills of Dakota was really moving.
The production was beautifully staged and dressed, and Ben Smith, conducting the splendid, if occasionally over-loud 14-piece orchestra, co-ordinated the whole performance quite brilliantly.
It runs until Saturday.
The full article contains 212 words and appears in Hebden Bridge Times newspaper.
