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Preview by Paul Nelson
FOLLOWING a series of sell-out dates on tour during 2002/3, the
stage adaptation of the film musical Calamity Jane is whip
cracking its way into the West End.
The show stars Toyah Willcox as Calamity Jane and it will
open at the Shaftesbury Theatre on June 12, running for
a limited season to September 20.
Calamity Jane is an action-packed, rip-roaring roller
coaster of a show with one of the most witty and memorable musical
scores. The songs include such favourites as The Deadwood Stage,
Windy City, The Black Hills of Dakota and Secret Love,
which won an Oscar for Best Original Song.
Deadwood, Dakota Territory, is a typical Wild West town, where
men are cowboys and women are clean living, wholesome gals.
That is except for Indian scout Calamity Jane, who is as hard
riding, gun toting and boastful as any man on the prairie.
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Tough-talking Calamity puts her reputation on the line when she
promises to bring a famous singing star all the way from Chicago
to Dakota's Golden Garter Saloon.
After a small matter of mistaken identity, the dainty chanteuse
and our heroine (along with the rest of Deadwood) become the best
of friends until Calamity realises she may have a rival for the
affection of the town's two most eligible cowboys, the dashing
Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin and fast-drawing Wild Bill Hickock.
Toyah Willcox returns to the stage to play Calamity, a role made
famous on the Hollywood screen by Doris Day.
Toyah is one of Britain's biggest household names, and is this
year celebrating 25 years in the business, with major hit records,
frequent television appearances and many prestigious stage and
screen roles from Shakespeare to Peter Pan.
Calamity Jane, adapted for the stage by Charles K Freeman,
Directed by Ed Curtis, Music by Sammy Fain, Lyrics by Paul Francis
Webster, Designed by Simon Higlett, Choreographed by Craig Revel
Horwood, Lighting Designer James Whiteside, Sound Design by Simon
Whitehorn (for Orbital), Musical Direction by Robert Cousins.
Starring Toyah Willcox at the Shaftesbury Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury
Avenue, London WC2 from June 12 t September 20 at 7.30pm. Tickets
0870 906 3798.
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