R Y 60 P R O RSA th
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Adapted by Ronald Hanmer and Phil Park
Wednesday 29 th JuNE Saturday 2 nd July 2022 ORGET – DON’T F & Q B B D BA R E S N E IC L LE 90 AVAILAB BEFORE MINUTES UP! IN A T CUR
MIDDLE FARM BARN • CHERITON • SO24 0PW
www.thecheritonplayers.org.uk
from the stage play by Charles K. Freeman, after the Warner Bros. film, written by James O’Hanlon. Songs by Paul Francis Webster (lyrics) and Sammy Fain (music).
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Calamity Jane The Musical
From the Director After directing the last Cheriton Variety Show in 2019, I was asked if I would consider another go at directing, this time for a musical for the Players’ 60th Anniversary. To say I was overwhelmed and more than a bit flattered is an understatement – but I agreed – excited for the challenge! Almost three years later (a little later than planned of course) here we are, and I could not be more delighted to be bringing you the Players’ Calamity Jane spectacular! Many options were considered for the venue for this amazing show and, thanks to Mark Cheyney we have the perfect place, a hop, skip and a jump up the road from our trusty hall. We could not have picked a more perfect venue to bring you some whip-cracking fun than the rustic setting at Middle Farm. Of course, faced with a completely blank barn (and at one point, the possibility of a part-open-air production when part of the roof blew off in storm Eunice!) it was not going to be an easy thing to organise. We needed a stage and set, and I knew just the man for the job. My long-suffering fiancé was about to be given the project of his life – a project which he stepped up to with an astounding amount of ease and expertise (I don’t think he even knew he had!). Luckily the enormity of the job did not become apparent to him until we were well under way!! I have always loved Calamity Jane. Such a fantastically strong, female figure in a man’s world; as a female director, what’s not to love? I am thrilled that my good friend, Claire Smith, came forward for auditions. As soon as she started to sing Secret Love, I knew we had found the perfect person to be our Calamity.
We have such a talented cast and I would like to thank all of them for their patience and hard work over the last few months. Of course, a production like this does not happen without an enormous team effort and there are many people to thank. My undying gratitude must firstly go to Mark Cheyney for allowing us to completely take over his wonderful barn. He has literally been the most understanding and generous host. Enormous thanks also to: The supremely talented Charlie Hellard for producing the music and helping direct rehearsals with me each week. I could not have done this without him. To Craig Robertson for his feats of engineering and set building expertise, a mammoth undertaking for which I will be forever grateful. To Pauline Cornter for being the most fantastic costume organiser and helping with other smaller matters of production. To Graham Arnott and Jamie Herdman for their usual expertise in the light and sound department – a particular challenge in a barn! To Jenny Cridland for expertly handled and planned front of house and general venue management. To Marilyn Weston for making sure we all have the correct props and for aiding us with prompting during rehearsals. To Adrian Seale and James Seale for their seamless stage management (as well as to Adrian for taking on a little cameo role!). To Louise Hodson for choreographing our can-can – a supremely talented lady who I am so grateful to. To Retta Hellard for her set décor and assistance with props. To all the front of house, car parking and BBQ helpers for an amazing job. And finally, anyone else who helped in any small way with our production thank you so, so much. Now, get those whips cracking and knees a-slapping and gosh-a-mighty, we hope you enjoy our show – yee-haw! Tracey Anderson
Cheriton, Nr. Alresford, Hampshire. SO24 0PX Telephone: Bramdean 01962 771 251
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A note from our Chair The Players’ 60th anniversary was to have been celebrated in 2021 but as we all know, that wasn’t to be. One year on and now 61 years old, we hope that you’ll enjoy our celebratory show. After much discussion and deliberation, we decided on the play, found our director, enrolled the cast, searched for the venue, built the stage and are now absolutely delighted to welcome you all to our summer production of Calamity Jane. A story full of tough talk, romance, heartbreak, singing and good old fashioned Wild West – yee-haw! Taking a Players’ production out of the village hall is never an easy decision but we hope you’ll agree that it’s been worth the effort and that the cast and crew have brought you a show to remember. None of this would have been possible without the amazing support of
everyone involved. Thanks go to all, with special thanks to Tracey for directing and to Tracey and Craig for their vision in designing and building the set. Huge thanks must also go to Mark Cheyney and family for so generously allowing us the use of the barn. The Players are always looking for cast and crew for our productions; perhaps Calamity has left you feeling inspired to join us. Take a look at our website or email thecheritonplayers@gmail.com for more information. Have a great evening y’all. Marilyn Weston
Coming Up Next... Our AGM is to be on Monday 11th July in the village hall – all are welcome! Our next production sees us return to our spiritual home, Cheriton Village Hall, 29th November - 3rd December, for another Bond spoof, a sequel to our successful ground-breaker Diamonds Are For Trevor in 2019. This time, our unlikely hero dusts off his tuxedo to return in – yes, you’ve guessed it – Never Say Trevor Again, when he fights tigers, falls out of airplanes, gets the girl and (of course) wins the day. As with DAFT, this production will be part filmed, part staged and we hope will be as popular as the first. Put the dates in your diary now!
Cheriton Players is a small friendly theatre group always keen to encourage new members to join us onstage, backstage and front of house. If you are interested in joining the Players, please get in touch through the website www.thecheritonplayers.org.uk or by email to thecheritonplayers@gmail.com You can also join our mailing list through the website to receive our regular newsletters and details of future productions. We would love to hear from you!
The Cast Calamity Jane....................................................................................................................Claire Smith Wild Bill Hickock................................................................................................................Ben Gander Lieut Danny Gilmartin................................................................................................Charlie Hellard Katie Brown............................................................................................................... Lauren Anderson Henry Miller..................................................................................................................... Mike Cornter Susan Miller................................................................................................................ Rebecca Leadley Francis Fryer........................................................................................................................ Tony Bevan Adelaide Adams............................................................................................................... Alison Carter Rattlesnake.........................................................................................................................Tim Conway Doc Pierce..........................................................................................................................John Weston Jo the Bartender..............................................................................................................Jenni Watson Hank..............................................................................................................................Craig Robertson Pete..................................................................................................................................Pete Shepherd Colonel of Fort Scully.................................................................................................... Clive Burgess Prospector......................................................................................................................... Arthur Smith Tame Indian....................................................................................................................... Adrian Seale
Chorus Clive Burgess, Jan Conway, Tim Conway, Pauline Cornter, Darcy Gander, Craig Robertson, Pete Shepherd, Arthur Smith, Jenni Watson, John Weston
Dancing girls Abi Ballard, Lucy Brimson, Darcy Gander
Backstage Director/Musical Director....................................................................................... Tracey Anderson Producer – Music.........................................................................................................Charlie Hellard Producer – Stage & Set............................................................................................Craig Robertson Producer – Everything Else!......................................................................................Pauline Cornter Stage Manager.................................................................................................................. Adrian Seale Asst Stage Manager.......................................................................................................... James Seale Lighting/Sound............................................................................. Jamie Herdman, Graham Arnott Costumes/Props.........................Pauline Cornter, Jan Conway, Venetta Rose, Marilyn Weston Rehearsal Prompt....................................................................................................... Marilyn Weston Set Design....................................................................................................................Craig Robertson Set Construction................................................................................Craig Robertson, Marc Carter Set Decoration/Props............................................................................................ Henrietta Hellard FoH/Venue Management........................................................................... Jenny Cridland & Team Publicity/Marketing................................................................................................... David Cradduck Poster/Programme.................................................................................................................. Ian Lock Show Photography....................................................................................................Craig Robertson Can-can Choreographer.............................................................................................Louise Hodson There will be an interval of 20 minutes between Act 1 and Act 2 during which refreshments can be purchased from the bar. Please refrain from taking flash photography and turn off all mobile phones. In the interests of safety, and access for performers and FoH staff, please keep aisles and walkways clear.
BIOGRAPHIES
Tracey Anderson (Director) Tracey has been involved with The Cheriton Players now for over ten years. She first joined us for our production of Alice in 2011, having rekindled her love for performing in adulthood! As well as performing with ACTs, TOADs and WMOS, she has ‘trodden the boards’ in many Cheriton shows over the years, the most recent being Diamonds are for Trevor in 2019. She also made her directorial debut in 2019 when she co-directed A Very International Variety Show. She is a keen singer, actor and lover of all things ‘musical’ and was thrilled to be asked to direct again for our 60th anniversary production. Charlie Hellard (Producer – Music/Danny Gilmartin) Charlie has appeared in many productions in and around Winchester for various groups, notably The Cheriton Players in A Bolt from the Blue and Diamonds are for Trevor. He has also appeared, for Chesil Theatre, in For Services Rendered and High Society. For WMOS he appeared in Hooked on Pan, was in Half a Sixpence for Alresford Community Theatre Society and played Hannay in The 39 Steps for West Meon Theatre. He has also appeared in many local independent and student films from Winchester to Bournemouth, notably From Far Away by Alex Winfield. As well as acting (both on stage and film) Charlie is a keen musician and music producer, having studied at the University of Chichester. He plays the piano and drums and composes in his spare time. He has also produced albums for various local artists and hopes to turn professional, in acting or music, in the near future. Claire Smith (Calamity Jane) Claire has been involved in theatre since the age of five when she learnt to dance and she soon started joining musical theatre groups. After university, Claire was busy with WMOS, mainly in the chorus and as a dancer. She has taken roles like Hebe in HMS Pinafore and Lady Ella in Patience. Claire was involved in the Great Cheriton Variety Show, mostly singing in various roles, and two years later
– as well as singing a memorable set as Mary Poppins – she co-directed A Very International Variety Show. She appeared as Nellie in Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime, her first appearance in a non-musical production since secondary school and she then took on the challenging role of Julia in A Month of Sundays. Claire was part of the hilarious line up for Cash on Delivery and as Aggie Wheeler in the thriller The Game’s Afoot. She also took part in our rehearsed reading of The Browning Version. Claire is excited to be back after a little time away and what better way to get back onto the stage than to take on her biggest role yet, as Calamity Jane! Lauren Anderson (Katie Brown) Lauren first joined Cheriton Players in 2011 for their production of Alice, when she was just 12 years old. She is a keen actor and singer and since 2011 has been involved in many productions, both here and overseas in America and Japan. She has performed in school productions, as well as with Encore, ACTs and TOADs, and productions over the years include Peter Pan, Under Milk Wood, The Boyfriend, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, Trojan Women, Oklahoma and A Very International Variety Show. She is thrilled to be performing in a principal role for the very first time! Ben Gander (Wild Bill Hickock) Ben started acting at the age of 35, having made the obvious and welltrodden transition from rugby to the stage! That said, he admits that “due to a complete lack of understanding as to what is considered normal human behaviour, I have been practising acting as soon as I became aware of my personality default”. Since joining the Lion & Unicorn in Petersfield, Ben has played several lead roles in plays including Francis Henshall in One Man Two Guv’nors, Peter Grimes, Beowulf, Khlestakov in The Government Inspector and Fadinard in An Italian Straw Hat. He has also been a part of the Petersfield Shakespeare Festival, playing Don Pedro in Much Ado and MacDuff in Macbeth. He has also directed three plays, two of which he wrote. This is his first musical, although he’s sung in plays before as well as being an avid singer (in the bath and public places, depending on his level of
a volunteer on the Watercress Line serving at the buffet and his day job is in catering. He spent 21 years serving patients at the Hampshire Clinic but now since leaving the kitchens of Perins School, he works at Alton School. Rebecca Leadley (Susan Miller)
Ali Carter (Adelaide Adams) Alison is a trained singer and loves to sing wherever she goes. She was delighted to be cast as Adelaide Adams in Calamity Jane, although the character is vastly different to her own. She has enjoyed taking full advantage of her character and going with Adelaide’s sharp tongue and arrogant ways. Alison has performed with Cheriton Players on many occasions. She has sung at both Variety Shows in recent years, shown her nursing skills in A Month of Sundays and been part of rehearsed readings. During lockdown, she was heard in two short radio plays. Before joining the Cheriton Players, Alison performed with the Winchester Opera and Musicals Society, where she took on the roles of Carmen, Patience and The Merry Widow. She also performed in HMS Pinafore and Billy Liar. Alison studied Music and Theatre Studies at A-level at Lord Wandsworth College, where she became prefect of the Music and Drama Centre. She studied Education and Music at Roehampton University, where she also performed on many occasions. Alison is a wife and a mother to two beautiful daughters, who have also appeared on the Cheriton Players’ stage. Tony Bevan (Francis Fryer) Tony’s love of musical theatre stems back to the years of living in Basingstoke and performing at the Haymarket and Anvil with BATS and BAOS. He was also a pupil at the Chandelle stage and dance school and came away with a silver level in dance/exercise and tap. He is a regular performer with the North Hampshire Hospital pantomime players. To his credit list he was an extra in the film Get Real and the Channel 4 drama Turning Worlds. On moving to Alresford Tony joined both ACTS and TOADS and has not looked back. With ACTS he has codirected three shows. It is his ambition to direct Fiddler on the Roof or The Sound of Music. Outside the theatre he is
Rebecca has been a member of the Players for nine years now, and is a Cheriton Players’ Committee member. She has acted in many of their recent productions, including An Inspector Calls, Diamonds are for Trevor and Third Week in August. She has loved acting since childhood, entering festivals and speech and drama exams, and also enjoyed drama whilst at university. Rebecca has portrayed wartime murderers and medieval corpses at weddings and team building events as an actor in a murder mystery company. During the pandemic, Rebecca participated in numerous radio plays and also directed a rather inventive murder mystery on Zoom for the Players! Off the boards, Rebecca has the most drama, working in a library and being a mum to three energetic and busy children. Mike Cornter (Henry Miller) Mike is the second longest standing member of Cheriton Players, just behind his wife Pauline. He was persuaded into joining in 1967 by Pauline’s father, Les Sumner who, together with his wife Peggy, were founder members. Mike has appeared in many plays and shows over the past 55 years. He has enjoyed playing character roles such as Squeezum in Lock Up Your Daughters in 1990, René in ‘Allo ‘Allo and Donald Trumpet (a parody of guess who) in Diamonds Are For Trevor in 2019. His favourite role has been the bigoted patriarch Arthur Birling in An Inspector Calls. Mike says he has thoroughly enjoyed rehearsing and playing the part of Henry Miller, proprietor of the ‘Golden Garter’ in Calamity Jane – his second part sporting an American accent. When not treading the boards, Mike loves reading and writing poetry. He also enjoys sport (these days mainly watching rather than playing!). Mike and Pauline have been married for 53 years and Mike says their proudest moment was performing alongside Pauline’s mum Peggy and their two sons, Danny and Julian – three generations of one family.
BIOGRAPHIES
intoxication). He says he was very lucky to stumble upon the Cheriton Players, who he describes as “a talented and very entertaining bunch” for which we heartily reciprocate and look forward to him being very much a main player with us.
Past Productions Murder Weapon
November 2021
An Unexpected Fate at The Fête
June 2021
Doctor Doctor/The Dominatrix Solution
March 2021
Let Nothing You Dismay
December 2020
Hologram
November 2020
Mystery Shopper
September 2020
Jack Diamonds Are For Trevor
August 2020 November 2019
A Very International Variety Show Fallen Angels
April 2019 November 2018
The Browning Version/A Matter of Taste
June 2018
Communicating Doors
April 2018
The Game’s Afoot
November 2017
Young Jane
September 2017
(Another) Murder in Cheriton!
June 2017
The Even Greater Cheriton Variety Show Cash on Delivery A Month of Sundays Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime
April 2017
November 2016 March 2016 November 2015
Third Week in August
June 2015
The Great Cheriton Variety Show
April 2015
Oh Clarence!
May 2014
An Inspector Calls A Bolt from the Blue
December 2013 April 2013
Season’s Greetings
November 2012
Murdered to Death
May 2012
Clerical Errors Alice Blithe Spirit Don’t Dress For Dinner
November 2011 June 2011 November 2010 April 2010
MURDER WEAPON, NOVEMBER 2021
Idol Talent The Noble Spaniard Jungle Fantasy
January 2005 November 2004 May 2004
The Real Inspector Hound & Black Comedy Oliver! Don’t Utter a Note Forty – Not Out! Murder in Play Confusions An Evening’s Entertainment
November 2003 January 2003 May 2002 December 2001 March 2001 November 2000 March 2000
Move over Mrs Markham
November 1999
Party Piece
November 1998
After the Ball is Over And then there were None Cat on the Fiddle Love’s a Luxury She Stoops to Conquer Key for Two ‘Bless ’em All’
April 1998 November 1997 April 1997 November 1996 April 1996 November 1995 May 1995
Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime
November 1994
Pardon Me, Prime Minister
April 1994
Variety Music Hall Murder in Company
November 1993 April 1993
December 2009
Worzel Gummidge
Ten Times Table
April/May 2009
Outside Edge
April 1992
The Ghost Train
November 2008
My Fair Lady
November 1991
Together4Christmas
Habeas Corpus ’Allo ’Allo Murder in Cheriton! The Champion of Paribanou Parallel Lines Table Manners A Christmas Carol Out of Order
April 2008 November 2007 May 2007 January 2007 November 2006 April 2006 December 2005 April 2005
Two One-Act Plays Lock up Your Daughters Haul for the Shore Best of Old Time Music Hall Tons of Money The Late Mr. Larrington Merry Christmas Music Hall Man Alive
November 1992
April 1991 November 1990 May 1990 February 1990 November 1989 April 1989 December 1988 April 1988
Past Productions The Wind in the Willows I’ll Get My Man Music Hall Laughter in the Dark Salad Days
December 1987 May 1987 Jan/Feb 1987 December 1986 April 1986
The Proof of the Poison
December 1985
Gala Music Hall
September 1985
Charley’s Aunt Music Hall Small Hotel Beyond a Joke Music Hall Play On! Present Laughter Old Time Music Hall And So To Bed Here We Come Gathering Music Hall
May 1985 November 1984
Old Time Music Hall
May 1984
Quiet Weekend
February 1984
Who Lies There
November 1983 May 1983 February 1983 November 1982 April 1982 February 1982 November 1981 May 1981
Fish Out of Water Music Hall A Friend Indeed Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime Music Hall Jam Tomorrow White Sheep of the Family Old Time Music Hall Love Birds
Jan/Feb 1981 November 1981 May 1980 February 1980 November 1979 April 1979 January 1979 November 1978 April 1978 Jan/Feb 1978 November 1977
Running Riot
May 1977
Jubilee Revue
January 1977
Your Obedient Servant Person Unknown Old Time Music Hall The Importance of Being Earnest Wolf’s Clothing Old Time Music Hall Love’s a Luxury Sailor Beware
See How They Run
February 1985
Pride and Prejudice The Full Treatment
Old Time Music Hall Doctor in the House
Book of the Month Music Hall
OLD TIME MUSIC HALL, 1983
November 1976 April 1976 January 1976 November 1975 April 1975 Jan/Feb 1975 November 1974 April 1974
Old Time Music Hall Pools Paradise Something to Hide Old Time Music Hall Beside the Seaside Trap for a Lonely Man Man Alive Busybody Sleeping Partnership Dear Delinquent Goodnight, Mrs Puffin A Pig in a Poke Wanted One Bod Still Life & Speaking Terms Flat Spin
January 1974 November 1973 April 1973 January 1973 November 1972 April 1972 January 1972 November 1971 April 1971 January 1971 November 1970 February 1970 November 1969 May 1969 February 1969 November 1968 May 1968 February 1968 November 1967 July 1967 May 1967
The Happiest Days of Your Life
February 1967
See How They Run
October 1966
The Bride and the Batchelor
April 1966
Breath of Spring
November 1965
Blithe Spirit
November 1964
Pools Paradise
May 1964
One Man Banned
November 1963
Haul for the Shore
November 1962
Friends and Neighbours Here We Come Gathering
March 1962 November 1961
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