Once I had a secret love, 
that lived within the heart of me. 
All too soon my secret love 
became impatient to be free.

My second sampling of this Wild West Musical in the last six months. The first was by the professionals with Carrie Hope Fletcher, so … could a youth group entertain me just as much? Absolutely. And that is down to the wonderful team and members of Starcross Youth Theatre who I have now been going to see for over three years. And there is one thing I have found about Starcross, the faces might change over time, but the quality remains and those taking their place are of the same high standard.

Starcross is a family effort from Phil Cross MBE (Producer/Director) and wife, Belinda (Assistant Director/Consultant Choreographer), and more recently, daughter, Christine (Assistant Producer/Choreographer), who has moved full time into production after many years on stage. Let us also not forget the extended family with Ben Batt (Musical Director) who fronted a six-piece band, plus vocal coaching from Ashleigh Foster and support on choreography from Elise Harrison.

Calamity Jane is a spit ‘n sawdust Wild West Romp which has entertained audiences since the 1953 film of the same name. With music by Sammy Fain, lyrics from Paul Francis Webster and book courtesy of Ronald Hammer and Phil Park, this show is instantly recognisable by the songs, Just Blew in from the Windy City, The Deadwood Stage, Black Hills of Dakota and more. It is a tale of Secret Love and hope. Thoroughly entertaining from start to finish and Starcross totally pulled this one off. Great sound, lighting and slick movement on stage, including the smooth scene changes, plus an incredibly impressive set complete with full size coach. Sat on the front row, mere inches away from the performers, I was well and truly immersed into this experience.

Top marks must go to Lily Cross for capturing Calamity to a T. This is a role which must be hard vocally and in need of much energy, but Lily smashed it, also showing a fine voice during the softer musical moments (Secret Love). As Wild Bill Hickock, if you didn’t know this was a youth company, you would swear Alex Hill was the real deal in terms of being on the professional scene. Such a strong performance which was also backed up vocally during the musical numbers. Lily-Grace Palmer played Katie Brown, who poses as a famous singer to achieve her dreams. A lovely performance by her complemented well by Darius Stirbat as Lt. Danny Gilmartin. Supporting well, though, were Tia Rafferty (Henry Miller), Stanley Clowes (Francis Fryer) and Lexie Jennings (Susan), who also doubled as Dance Captain alongside Ellie Fletcher-Brown. And for this performance, Adelaide Adams was portrayed by River Onions who delivered It’s Harry I’m Planning to Marry excellently.

Over the years I have made a rod for my own back by listing the entire cast in youth shows, as they deserve it. This usually takes time and much cross checking and with this one, over four performances, some roles were not just spread between two people, but in certain cases, three. Therefore, I am going to cheat and include below the cast from the programme. Credit to all, though, and I am certain those who I did not see on the day were equally superb during their own moments on other performances.

Starcross are back in July with a showcase concert titled, Showstoppers. I am unfortunately unable to attend this one as I have prior commitments on both nights, but I will certainly be there at the end of October for their huge offering of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Cheers.

Antony N Britt

*Photos taken from social media.