Banbury Operatic Society, a beloved local charity with over 60 years of entertaining audiences, is thrilled to take to the stage again this February for their upcoming production of the classic musical, Calamity Jane. Set against the backdrop of the rugged Wild West, this production promises to captivate audiences with its heart-warming tale, lively characters, and toe-tapping musical numbers.
To ensure that as many people as possible feel welcome in theatre, BOS have pulled out all the stops and made one of the performances a relaxed performance, including British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, modified lighting and sound levels, and specialised support for attendees. Additional wheelchair spaces will be available to ensure everyone can enjoy this Wild West adventure!
The inhabitants of Deadwood City live a dangerous existence, and none more so than our gun-totin’ heroine Calamity Jane! She can outride and outshoot anyone alive – except perhaps Wild Bill Hickock, Deadwood’s former peace officer and Calamity’s best friend. But Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin, a charming officer attached to the nearby Fort Scully, holds Calamity’s heart – though her love isn’t returned…
When Calamity rashly promises to persuade famous starlet Adelaide Adams to come and perform in Deadwood, she mistakenly brings Adelaide’s maid Katie Brown instead – setting off a chain reaction of misunderstandings, friendship and romance which turns Deadwood City upside down. Amidst the comical misunderstandings and mishaps, Calamity discovers her own unexpected journey towards love and self-discovery.
Making her directorial debut for Banbury Operatic Society is Sarah Wright, who is joined on the production team by choreographer Charlotte Boardman, and musical director David Ball. Sarah shared her enthusiasm for the production, saying, “Calamity Jane is a timeless classic filled with humour, romance, and unforgettable music. Our cast and crew have poured their hearts into bringing this Wild West tale to life, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience the magic on stage.”
Banbury Operatic Society, a registered charity and Banbury’s longest-running musical theatre group, has a rich history of delivering diverse and captivating performances. From Gilbert & Sullivan to West End blockbusters, their repertoire showcases the versatility and talent of their dedicated members. Recently they staged Kinky Boots which recived an overwhelming response from the sell-out local audiences. The Society also has a multi award-winning youth group – YOBOS – who stage an entire musical in just one week in the summer holidays, and are currently gearing up to launch their next production of School of Rock.
Reflecting on their recent successes, Banbury Operatic Society Chairman, Jess Smith, stated, “We are thrilled to continue our tradition of bringing exciting musicals to Banbury. Following the success of Kinky Boots, we are confident that Calamity Jane will be a rootin’ tootin’ good time for audiences of all ages. And, with the additional relaxed performance, we hope more people than ever will be able to join us!”
Banbury Operatic Society will perform Calamity Jane at Wykham Theatre, Wykham Park Academy from Wednesday 14th February 2024 to Saturday 17th February 2024. Performances begin at 7.30pm with an additional 2.30pm matinee on Saturday 17th February for the relaxed and BSL staging of the production. Tickets are available now at www.banburyoperaticsociety.co.uk/tickets.
