The DMTC archive 1989

Durham Musical Theatre Company

Calamity Jane

198913th – 18th March 1989The Garland Theatre
Explore the programme

Back in the spotlight

About the show.

In the wild-west outpost of Deadwood City, 1876, we find the sharpshooting tomboy, Calamity Jane surrounded by cowboys, townsfolk, and the famous Wild Bill Hickok. After a mix-up in the talent pool at Deadwood’s saloon-theater, Calamity goes to Chicago to import to Deadwood the glamorous actress, Adelaide Adams, but returns by mistake with her maid, Katie Brown instead.

Back in Deadwood, Katie’s inability to perform is overcome as she wins the heart of the young Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin, and when Calamity sheds her tomboy persona at a ball at the local Fort and becomes a true woman, she realizes that she loves Wild Bill Hickok.

Calamity Jane poster
Original production artwork · 1989

Behind the scenes

The production team.

Director

Fred Wharton

Musical Director

George Hetherington

Choreographer

Janet Dixon

View the full production credits
Stage Manager
Dave Foxall
Lighting
Geoff Foxall
House Manager
Harry Cottle
Wardrobe
Chris Emerson · Jean Graham
Properties
Denise Brooksbank · Anne Suddes · Elizabeth Hayton
Make-up
Margaret Chapman’s Team
Accompanist
John Ward · Elizabeth Johnson
Prompter
Kay Henderson · Enid Johnson · Hansi Wheatley
Refreshments
Joan Foxall · Val Cure
Acknowledgement
Principal and Staff of New College
First Aid
St. John Ambulance Brigade
Programme Printing
Sports and Leisure Publications · Howe Brothers of Gateshead
Display and Ticket Sales
Tourist Information Office Durham
Publicity Assistance
Gables Hotel, Haswell
Photography
Graham Brooksbank
Photographic Processing, Printing and Studio Facilities
Ron’s Cameras of Durham
Assistance with Props
Blanche Walton of The Little Theatre
Foyer Floral Decoration
Durham City Council Parks Dept.
Stage Floral Displays
Ashley’s of Newton Hall
Rehearsal Facilities
Durham County Council Education Authority and the schools concerned
Flags
County Hall Durham
Transport Assistance
Andrew Dixon
Programme Cover Design
Conrad Kennedy
Loan of Pony Trap and Cart Wheels
Tony Carroll

On stage

Cast & company.

Principals / cast

Calamity Jane
Eileen Glenton
Wild Bill Hickock
Peter Charlton
Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin — U.S. Cavalry
Anthony Smith
Henry Miller — owner of the Golden Garter Saloon
Maurice Carr
Susan — his niece
Eunice Sneddon
Joe — bartender at the Golden Garter
Olly Burton
Adelaide Adams — a Vaudeville Star
Valenda Taylor
Katie Brown — her dresser
Dorothy Wroe
Francis Fryer — a song-and-dance man
Mike Dixon
Doc. Pierce
Harry Dallard
Rattlesnake — the stagecoach driver
Kevin Graham
Hank — U.S. Army Scout
Stephen Wroe
Pete — U.S. Army Scout
Bev Thompson
Colonel Stark — Fort Scully
John Cuckson

The company

  • Maureen AndersonLadies’ Chorus
  • Nicola BellLadies’ Chorus
  • Helen BlakeLadies’ Chorus
  • Greta CalverLadies’ Chorus
  • Muriel CarrLadies’ Chorus
  • Sheila CottleLadies’ Chorus
  • Joan DallardLadies’ Chorus
  • Christine DobbieLadies’ Chorus
  • Freda DawsonLadies’ Chorus
  • Alison FrisbyLadies’ Chorus
  • Mary GordonLadies’ Chorus
  • Margaret GrahamLadies’ Chorus
  • Mary HamiltonLadies’ Chorus
  • Julia HealLadies’ Chorus
  • Mollie HughesLadies’ Chorus
  • Pat JoblingLadies’ Chorus
  • Judith JohnsonLadies’ Chorus
  • Janet KennettLadies’ Chorus
  • Kathy MorrisLadies’ Chorus
  • Helen TelfordLadies’ Chorus
  • Sue WighamLadies’ Chorus
  • Alan BallMen’s Chorus
  • Jim ChapmanMen’s Chorus
  • Peter ClaphamMen’s Chorus
  • Trevor CookMen’s Chorus
  • Colin HughesMen’s Chorus
  • Conrad KennedyMen’s Chorus
  • Peter ParkesMen’s Chorus
  • David PlantMen’s Chorus
  • Kevin ShieldMen’s Chorus

Dancers

  • Alison CarseDancer
  • Anna CorriganDancer
  • Janet DixonDancer
  • Sonia DixonDancer
  • Wendy KennedyDancer
  • Jill SmithDancer
Original programme cover for Calamity Jane

Turn back the pages

The original programme.

Meet the people, revisit the production and explore the programme as it appeared at the time.

The original programme

Calamity Jane (1989)

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