Calamity Jane
Sunderland Empire
We
love going to the theatre as a family and we are lucky to see, and enjoy, lots
of great shows in the North East. Most of the reviews on here are indeed
extremely positive as we enjoyed them. From big shows such as Singing In The Rain to much smaller
shows such as Best In The World. I
guess it was only going to be a matter of time that we ended up with a night
like the opening night of Calamity Jane. I know reviews usually appear much quicker, on
the same night usually, but this was needed a night’s reflection.
First
signs were not good as the large crowd gathered in the foyer and theatre staff
rushed backwards and forwards not passing on information. Elderly theatre goers
were left with nowhere to sit as the advertised time for the show to start
quickly approached. This is not the first time this has happened on this tour
as this review shows: York Calamity Jane Review. Eventually
the doors opened to the auditorium and we could take our seats, though the
safety curtain was still down. Eventually an announcement is made stating
technical difficulties are delaying the start still further. The recorded
message about mobile phones eventually is played but seemed to be quiet. Was it
the sound that was causing a delay? Finally after a quick announcement about a
change to the cast the show begins.
The
trouble in reading a review is that you are faced with opinion rather than
fact. In my opinion the early sound levels were not balanced and not all voices
could be heard clearly or with the same volume. In fact it sounded like some
microphones were not in the right place in that first few minutes. The
following day I read a review in the local
press that makes a direct reference to both the smooth running of
opening night and the fabulous balanced sound. Both are unusual things to see
in the local rag. I wonder if they were at the same show? As I say, this is my
opinion and in my opinion the sound wasn’t good in row O of the stalls.
The
story of Calamity Jane is light and breezy. The
songs were probably great but I was struggling to decipher the lyrics through a
combination of sound quality and quality of the accents. One thing which was
good was the musicianship. The instruments were the one thing we could hear
clearly. I also liked the fact that the recent trend of sticking the musicians
on stage seems to be continuing. It is great to see instruments being played
rather than stuck out of sight in a pit.
The
actors were trying very hard in the show. The choreography was tight on a
number of the numbers.
The
show slipped into The Play That Goes
Wrong territory when an attempt to lasso Calamity failed and a nearby
member of the cast had to loop the rope around Calamity. Matters reached a peak
when the cast seemed to be holding a pose for a long time at the end of the
first half before the curtain finally came down – much to the obvious relief of
some of the cast.
After
sampling the £4 ice cream and comparing its size to the small £3 tubs, the
second half began. The second half was
much better and the delightful story was given an opportunity to shine.
Tom
Lister, as Wild Bill Hickok, and Pheobe Street, as Katie Brown, stood
out as very strong players in their roles. Jodie Prenger as Calamity Jane was charming and
engaging.
A
member of theatre staff had told me when I discussed it with them that I should
expect it as it is first night. I go to a lot of first nights and I haven’t
known a night like it. He also suggested that the company had only arrived that
very same day and were trying to perform and the same day as they set up. For a show that has been on tour for as long
as this it surprises me that the first night wasn’t smoother. Chances are the shows will be better later in
the run. The trouble is that I don’t have a spare £100 to find out.
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