Calamity Jane was actually a real life woman. A notable frontier figure with a preference for male attire, she really was a friend of Wild Bill Hickok. Prone to exaggeration and fantastical tales, Jane claims they married and Bill fathered the daughter she adopted out. Maybe she did. Maybe she didn’t.
Queensland Theatre is well known and respected for the quality and professionalism of their productions and castings. I was a bit surprised to be invited to a musical they were staging.
I walked into the Bille Brown theatre and found myself inside the Golden Garter Saloon. I had a voyeuristic viewpoint of an immersive theatre experience. Dress code was Cowboy Chic. I realised too late what I could have worn. Tough types and sweet dames moved among us.
Some of the audience had chosen seats on the stage. Unsurprisingly, they were drawn into the action. Perhaps that was their expectation as those seats were the most expensive.
When the man seated just behind me was approached and asked in cowboy drawl if he’d brought a cow into the premises without a permit, I hoped successfully that I would be overlooked. (I ain’t gone done nuthin’ wrong).
The immersive setting in a small venue was a great utilisation of theatrical space and a clever means for the involvement of audience. The immediate vibe was positively lively.
What transpired was a wonderful evening of convincing narrative and professionally delivered song. Leading lady, singer, Naomi Price aside, I soon realised all of the other actors could also actually sing at performance standard.
Naomi Price was a ferocious Jane. Readily able to establish a connection with her audience, she was outstanding as a vocalist and actor. There was power in her stage presence. Even when barefoot, she remained formidable.
Those long dead, rifle-wielding, wagon-riding frontier feminists would have approved of the way in which they were portrayed in this musical drama. Costume choices were apt. The alluded themes were timelessly, primarily adult: seduction, sexual preferences, enmity, allegiances, betrayal and revenge.
I first encountered Naomi Price when she was a contestant on The Voice. Since then, I’ve seen her appear in various productions. Whilst Naomi has previously performed with Queensland Theatre amongst their talented actors, others in the small cast made their debut with the company.
Amongst the debutants were slender stunners, Laura Bunting as Katie Brown/Flo, Juliette Coates as Susan Miller/Adelaide Adams and Darcy Brown as Francis Fryer/Johnny Roll-up.
Darcy was a standout. His capacity for complete abandonment to extraordinary character was excellent. He’s a credit to the standards and training of our prestigious NIDA.
Other debutantes were Sean Sinclair as Lieutenant Danny/Deadwood Dick and Nigel Ubrihien as Rattlesnake. Nigel was superb on ‘the old Joanna’. I was not surprised to later read that he was also the Musical Director of the show.
Director of the production was Richard Carroll and Artistic Director was Daniel Evans.
While loud rain poured outside and flooded the western regions of our state, we enjoyed an evening of escape from our perilous Queensland climate. The weather is always with us and the show went on.
It was a great night and memorable performance. I hope that more musical productions presented by Queensland Theatre are gurgling in the pipeline.
Calamity Jane
Bille Brown Theatre, 78 Montague Road, South Brisbane
Performance: Thursday 27 March 2025
Season: 22 March – 17 April 2025
Information and Bookings: www.queenslandtheatre.com.au
Images: Naomi Price in Calamity Jane – photo by Morgan Roberts | Naomi Price and Sean Sinclair in Calamity Jane – photo by Morgan Roberts | Laura Bunting and Naomi Price in Calamity Jane – photo by Morgan Roberts | The Cast of Calamity Jane – photo by Morgan Roberts