Calamity Jane
Tues 22nd to Sat 26th April 2008.
The Cast
Calamity Jane - Katie Howes.Katie is a well known face in The Rep's musicals having played Lois/Bianca in Kiss Me Kate, Miss Hannigan in Annie and Nellie Forbush in South Pacific to name but a few. She has also performed leading roles on many stages across the North East to great reviews, including the Theatre Royal.
Wild Bill Hickock - Ian Byrne
Jarrow gent Ian is making his debut at Ponteland this year. He has been acting for more than 15 years and has had the pleasure of playing roles such as Higgins in My Fair Lady, Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl, and Curly in Oklahoma. He is married to Katherine and they have two young sons.
Katie Brown - Helen Aspey
Another newcomer to The Rep but no novice to the stage in the north. Amongst others, Helen has enjoyed leads in My Fair Lady, Crazy For You, and Jekyl and Hyde playing opposite her fiancé and our new director, Jonathan.
Lt. Danny Gilmartin - David Bruce
A familiar face in Ponteland although this time without the Italian accent he commanded so well in 'Allo 'Allo. David played Bill/Lucentio in Kiss Me Kate at Ponteland but has also played many other characters throughout the region.
Francis Fryer - Andrew Fearon
Teacher by day and enthusiastic thespian by night, Andrew joins us from Jarrow. He has been performing for ten years and is delighted to have the opportunity to get his size 12 high-heels out to play Francis for a second time.
Henry Miller - Dave Wilkinson
Dave has performed in everything from panto to Shakespeare in the North East but this is his very first visit to Ponteland. Those who saw Scrooge at Newcastle may remember him as Tom Jenkins leading "Thank You Very Much".
| Adelaide Adams | Pam Nesbitt |
| Susan | Zoe Bartlett |
| Rattlesnake | John Hutton |
| Joe | Philip Aspey |
| 'Doc' Pierce | Brian Barry |
| Hank | Neil Rutter |
| Pete | Ian Nesbitt |
| The Colonel | Richard Dodd |
The Chorus
Nikki Buckley-Feiven, Joanne Clark, Vinny Finden, Kathryn Hayes, Sue Hayes, Lynne Henderson, Ted Henderson,Katie Livingstone-Evans, Rachael Morgan, Elaine Prudhoe, Paul Reynolds, Heather Thompson, Gill Thompson,
Caitlin Wetherill, Tracey Wetherill.
The Orchestra
| Musical Director | Deborah Barry | Piano | Mark Thompson |
| Guitar | Bob Crabtree | Bass | Kirsten Grey |
| String Synthesizer | Malcolm Moffat | Percussion | Paul Stephenson |
The Production Team
| Director | Jonathan Cash |
| Musical Director | Deborah Barry |
| Choreographer | Helen Aspey |
| Accompanist | Mark Thompson |
| Stage Manager | Barbara Clayton |
| Assistant Stage Managers | John Firth |
| Victoria Newton | |
| Construction Manager | Gerald Clayton |
| Props | Brenda Newton |
| Brenda Rutter | |
| Technical Manager | Nigel King |
| Sound Engineer | Mike Brown |
| Wardrobe | Lynne Henderson |
| Scenic Artist | Barbara Clayton |
| Prompt | Carole Stephen |
| Patrons Secretary | Dorothy Warner |
| Programme Editor | Deborah Barry |
| Ticket Sales | Alan Newton |
| Security | Neil Prudhoe |
This short article, written by Ted Henderson, appeared in the March 2008 issue of Pont News & Views magazine....
"Calamity Jane" needs little introduction. It's a real favourite, with some wonderful music guaranteed to get your feet tapping.
Who can sit still when Deadwood Stage comes to town or Windy City blows in. And what about those romantic melodies of Secret Love or Higher Than a Hawk. Then of course there's Black Hills of Dakota. All unforgettable
Katie Howes who plays gun-totin' heroine Calamity Jane is well known to Ponteland audiences, having wowed them in the past with many leading roles including Miss Hannigan in Annie and Bianca in Kiss Me Kate.
The part of Wild Bill Hickock is played by Rep newcomer Ian Byrne. Another new face, Helen Aspey, plays the part of stage-struck city-girl Katie Brown. Audiences who were lucky enough to catch 'Allo 'Allo might recognise a familiar face. David Bruce, who plays the dashing Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin, was a brilliant Captain Alberto Bertorelli
This year for the first time, the musical is being directed by Jonathan Cash with musical direction by Deborah Barry. Jonathan has performed in many shows himself around the region, including numerous leads at the Theatre Royal. Most notably Fagin in Oliver and the title roll in Scrooge. Deborah too has played several leads.
Performers on stage and audiences must not forget that the back of house team really make the shows possible. Everyone from the folks who design and paint the wonderful sets to the ladies who make the tea, play an invaluable part in bringing live theatre to Ponteland. Please continue to support The Rep and if you'd like to join or help behind the scenes just let us know.
By Ted Henderson.
Who can sit still when Deadwood Stage comes to town or Windy City blows in. And what about those romantic melodies of Secret Love or Higher Than a Hawk. Then of course there's Black Hills of Dakota. All unforgettable
Katie Howes who plays gun-totin' heroine Calamity Jane is well known to Ponteland audiences, having wowed them in the past with many leading roles including Miss Hannigan in Annie and Bianca in Kiss Me Kate.
The part of Wild Bill Hickock is played by Rep newcomer Ian Byrne. Another new face, Helen Aspey, plays the part of stage-struck city-girl Katie Brown. Audiences who were lucky enough to catch 'Allo 'Allo might recognise a familiar face. David Bruce, who plays the dashing Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin, was a brilliant Captain Alberto Bertorelli
This year for the first time, the musical is being directed by Jonathan Cash with musical direction by Deborah Barry. Jonathan has performed in many shows himself around the region, including numerous leads at the Theatre Royal. Most notably Fagin in Oliver and the title roll in Scrooge. Deborah too has played several leads.
Performers on stage and audiences must not forget that the back of house team really make the shows possible. Everyone from the folks who design and paint the wonderful sets to the ladies who make the tea, play an invaluable part in bringing live theatre to Ponteland. Please continue to support The Rep and if you'd like to join or help behind the scenes just let us know.
By Ted Henderson.