THERE will be a far from deadwood stage when the vibrant musical Calamity Jane is brought to life by Evesham Operatic and Dramatic Society during March.

Songs like Windy City, The Black Hills of Dakota and My Secret Love make the show a perennial favourite.

The upcoming production is giving youth its head, with 17-year-old Evesham High School pupils Matt Brace and Vicky Johns landing leading roles.

Matt, who is studying performing arts at the school, will play Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin, who Calamity Jane initially becomes infatuated with before falling for someone else.

His interest in amateur theatricals began when he answered an advertisement for people to join the pantomime cast of the Phoenix Theatre.

Among roles he has since played are Nick in Dick Whittington, Look-Lo in Aladdin, Man Friday in Robinson Crusoe and Giggsy in Babes in the Wood. In his school's recent production of Oliver he played Fagin.

Vicky plays Susan, niece of neurotic Henry Miller, in Calamity Jane. Miller runs the Golden Garter, Deadwood City's only saloon-cum-hotel-cum-theatre.

Vicky has lived in Evesham for 12 years after moving from Ross-on-Wye. She, too, is studying performing arts, with media and English.

Her first stage appearance came at the age of 11, when she was in Dick Whittington. Recent credits include Blousy in Bugsy Malone and she is a member of Phoenix Theatre Group.

She is no stranger to Evesham Operatic and Dramatic Society presentations of the classic musicals, having appeared in Carousel. "I have never looked back because I enjoy performing so much," she said.

The title role of Calamity will be played by Alison Jones, who has previously portrayed Nellie in the EODS production of South Pacific and Parchester in Me and My Girl. She directed the society's version of HMS Pinafore in 1998.

Alison teaches maths at Pershore High School. She is a former member of the Methodist Youth Orchestra and Singers and has sung solo in front of 5,000 people at the Royal Albert hall.

The male lead - Wild Bill Hickock - will be played by David Kewley, while Glenn Webb takes the role of Henry Miller and Amanda Golding plays Katie Brown, a stage-struck city girl who arrives in Deadwood City posing as famous actress Adelaide Adams.

Calamity Jane begins its week-long run at Evesham Arts Centre on Monday, March 24. The box office opens at Wallace House, Evesham on Monday, March 10. For group bookings, ring Tony or Gill Smith on 01386 41952.