Calamity Jane 2006

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Every four years the school’s music, drama and dance departments come together to put on a musical.  The last show was ‘The Pinafore Pirates’, which was a great success. This year the selected show was western musical, ‘Calamity Jane’.  But would it be as successful as the last show?  Only time would tell.

In the months leading up to the show the cast and orchestra put in many long hours trying to get prepared in time.  The whole week before the show was spent fine-tuning the music, scenes and dances so everything would be perfect.  Soon it was the dress rehearsal which gave everyone involved a taste of what it would be like on the night – with the lights, sound and no-one to shout ‘Stop!’

Eventually the first night came.  As the Assembly Hall filled up everyone involved was very nervous.  Members of the cast were worried about their voices lasting the week and forgetting their lines; and the orchestra was worried about playing in tune and playing in time.  However, when the curtains opened everyone just went for it and the applause at the end let us know we must have done something right!

Every night the cast got more and more confident as they performed to the amazing, realistic backdrops that were created by the Art and Technology departments.  One would be forgiven for almost believing they were in the ‘Golden Garter’ theatre, or walking through the ‘Black Hills of Dakota’.  And from the second night the cast and orchestra were rewarded with standing ovations and cheers that told us that the audience had been thoroughly entertained by the wonderful singing, acting, dancing and music making that was presented to them.

The final night came all too soon, and everybody involved pulled out all the stops to make sure Calamity Jane went out with a ‘whip-crack’!  After the curtains had been drawn for the last time the crying began!  Everyone had become so close throughout the rehearsals and now it was all over – normal school life awaited!  I think all who were involved in the production would agree it was a brilliant experience that we will carry with us for many years to come.  Calamity Jane was a huge success and its legacy will live on in the school – especially for those performing in the next show – to them the cast and orchestra would like to say ‘Top that!’