Helen Gallagher’s ‘Calamity’ Jane and Matt Tapp’s Wild Bill Hickok: Leading the Joseph Rowntree Theatre Company cast in Calamity Jane. All pictures: Jennifer Jones
THE Deadwood Stage rolls into York from February 4 to 7 when the Joseph Rowntree Theatre’s in-house fundraising company kicks off the spring season with Calamity Jane.
Gracing the JoRo stage for only the second time since the Haxby Road theatre’s inception in 1935, Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster’s 1961 musical – preceded by the 1953 film version – is a story of friendship, adventure, and romance, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Western Frontier.
Director Sophie Cooke, musical director Martin Lay and choreographer Heather Stead steer the Joseph Rowntree Theatre Company’s eighth full-scale production since forming in 2017.
Charting the interlinked lives of a South Dakotan community, full of characters united by dreams of a better life, Calamity Jane takes audiences to the golden age of musicals in an adaptation by Ronald Hanmer and Phil Park from Charles K Freeman’s stage play.
Tom Menarry’s Mister Francis Fryer and Alex Schofield’s Henry Miller in rehearsal for Calamity Jane
Led by tough talkin’, gun-totin’ heroine ‘Calamity’ Jane, and ex-peace-officer ‘Wild’ Bill Hickok, the citizens of Deadwood are content with their ways of life: supporting their fort of soldiers, socialising at the beloved Golden Garter saloon and awaiting treasures brought in from the world beyond.
However, when a new face blows in from the Windy City and creates a stir, friendships will be formed, long-time loyalties tested and perhaps even secret love revealed.
As a fan of Calamity Jane in all its adaptations since her childhood, director Sophie Cooke chose this show for JRTC, drawn to songs beloved by multiple generations, the humorous, heart-felt story and the show’s combination of operetta, vaudeville and vintage Broadway.
“It’s been a dream to direct,” she says. “Calamity Jane is a story about friendship, love, and community, with a true feel-good factor. The community spirit in Deadwood really captures the spirit of community theatre: everyone pulling together, supporting each other and having fun along the way.
Calamity Jane director Sophie Cooke in the rehearsal room
“It celebrates that golden-age musical feel: big songs, big characters and lots of heart. It’s a timeless show, with themes, characters and songs that defy decades.”
In the cast will be Helen Gallagher as ‘Calamity’ Jane; Matt Tapp as Wild Bill Hickok; Jennifer Jones, Katie Brown; Adam Gill, Lieutenant Daniel Gilmartin; Mollie Raine, Adelaide Adams; Sadie Sørensen, Susan; Tom Menarry, Mister Francis Fryer, and Alex Schofield, Henry Miller
Joining them will be Paul Betts as Joe; company newcomer David Hartley as stage-coach driver Rattlesnake; Jamie Benson, Charlie from Nantucket; Kit Stroud, poker-playing doctor-undertaker “Doc” Pierce; Matthew Jarvis an d Conor Heinemeyer as scouts Hank & Pete and Gary Bateson as Colonel.
Playing the CanCan Girls will be Abigail Atkinson; Liz Campbell; Chloe Chapman; Hollie Farmer; Sarah Rudd; Rachel Shadman and Heather Stead. Featured dancers will be Britt Brett; Katie Crossley; Robyn Hughes-Maclean; Rebecca Jackson; Lorna Newby and Jennifer Dommeck.
Joseph Rowntree Theatre Company cast members enjoying a rehearsal for Calamity Jane
The ensemble will comprise Meg Badrick; Victoria Beale; Amy Blair; Ruth Boag-Chapman; Pamela Bradley; Sophie Coe; Sue Coward; Lois Cross; Phoebe Dixon; Catherine Halton; Johanna Hartley; Cate Lawson; Caitlin McDowell; Lucy Moul; Rocks Nairn-Smith; Cameron O’Byrne; Kayleigh Oliver; Eliza Rowley; Rachael Turner and Charlotte Wetherell.
Joseph Rowntree Theatre Company in Calamity Jane, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, February 4 to 7, 7.30pm plus 2.30pm Saturday matinee (last few tickets available). Box office: 01904 501935 or https://www.josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/musical/calamity-jane/2830.
Joseph Rowntree Theatre Company: back story
FORMED in 2017, the company has since staged such shows as Kiss Me, Kate!, Hello Dolly, Curtains and 2025’s Beauty And The Beast as the im-house company at the JoRo.
All show profits fund the maintenance and development of the long-running community stage, allowing York performers, volunteers and audience members alike to enjoy classic and contemporary theatre in a space of their own. More than £50,000 has been raised so far, with plans for future productions already underway.
The Joseph Rowntree Theatre Company’s poster for next week’s production of Calamity Jane