Calamity review: Cowgirl misses the target

THEATRE
CALAMITY ★★
by Zoey Dawson & Romanie Harper,
Zoey Louise Moonbeam Dawson Shakespeare Company,
Melbourne Theatre Company, Lawler Studio, until June 7

Zoey Dawson has, in the past, woven probing and sophisticated theatre from the intricacies of gender.

She's one of the artists in the feminist indie trio I'm Trying To Kiss You, whose shows tend to mine almost unconscious aspects of feminine experience. Dawson has also directed an intriguing all-female Romeo and Juliet and composed the talented meta-theatrical romp, The Unspoken Word is 'Joe'.

Unfortunately, Calamity is a bit of a mess; a shame, as the idea behind it has potential. The show takes a second look at Calamity Jane. Impoverished frontierswoman and cowgirl, illiterate sex worker and lover of tall tales, the historical Calamity had a tenuous relationship with the legend that grew up around her, and her story had been whitewashed into pure invention by the time Doris Day played her in the 1953 musical comedy film.

Whatever else she was, Calamity Jane was not squeaky clean rom-com fodder, and her life didn't revolve around finding the right man. However, it's still an enjoyable movie, and much of this show draws on the affection Dawson had for it as a girl, while acknowledging its regressive sexual politics.

However, there's little dramatic tension in that proposition. It's as banal a truth as saying that Calamity has impeccable sexual politics, but isn't much fun. Perhaps, because of this, we end up with loose, post-dramatic visual theatre that never quite rises above the mire of self-indulgence.

Dawson stalks the stage as a slightly sinister image of Doris Day's creation; Debra Iris Batton plays the weather-beaten alcoholic behind the legend, and they face off in front of a girl (Ivy Rose Miller) attracted by both figures.

Calamity's dream-logic isn't a substitute for meaningful intellectual engagement with the issues the piece seeks to raise; its underlying critique remains murky and superficial. While there are diversions – camp choreography and perky lip-synching to songs from the film, for instance – Calamity is not rigorous or original enough to let its ideas really shine.