A whip-crackin’ night of music, memories, and musical theatre magic

The UK touring production of Calamity Jane is a heartfelt, high-energy celebration of a musical theatre classic. From the moment the cast burst onto the stage, I felt transported—not just to the wild frontiers of Deadwood, South Dakota, but to the golden age of those old sing-and-dance movie musicals I used to watch with my Nanny on a Sunday afternoon. This production lovingly embraces the nostalgia of this while delivering a show that feels fresh, funny, and full of life.

Carrie Hope Fletcher is nothing short of extraordinary in the title role. While Elaine Paige is rightly celebrated as the First Lady of British Musical Theatre, Carrie Hope Fletcher is fast becoming a worthy successor to that title. Her charisma, comic timing, and stage presence make her a perfect fit for the rough-and-ready, tender-hearted Calamity. But it was her rendition of “Secret Love” that truly stopped me in my tracks—her vocals gave me goosebumps. It’s a rare gift to experience a voice so powerful and emotionally resonant live on stage. She has one of the most captivating voices I’ve ever heard in theatre, and her performance alone is worth the ticket price.

The show balances raucous humour with real emotional depth, and the choreography, particularly the infectious hoedowns, is a highlight. The ensemble injects every number with joy. There’s a real sense of fun and friendship among the cast that radiates off the stage and pulls the audience right in.

One of the most impressive aspects of this production is the use of actor-musicians—something I hadn’t seen before. Watching the cast seamlessly switch between acting, singing, dancing, and playing instruments live on stage added a whole new layer to the performance. It brought an organic richness to the sound and gave the show a sense of intimacy, as if the entire town of Deadwood had come to life through music. I’m still baffled at how they managed to manoeuvre those hefty string instruments around the stage without missing a beat!

I also have to give a shoutout to Richard Lock, who played Rattlesnake, an old, bewhiskered town resident often seen with a banjo in hand. He was a constant source of amusement—gruff, quirky, and entirely unforgettable. It’s those little character touches that really make a show like this sing. I was genuinely surprised to learn that his magnificent beard wasn’t a prop—it was just as bold and memorable as his performance.

What surprised me most was just how many of the songs I remembered. Despite not having seen Calamity Jane in years, so many tunes were instantly familiar—proof of the musical’s enduring charm. In the last decade, the landscape of musical theatre has shifted, with a surge in new works, jukebox musicals, and modern reimaginings of classics. While those have their place, it was genuinely refreshing to see a revival that stays true to its roots. There’s no attempt here to modernise or reframe the story—just a deep, infectious love for the genre and its traditions.

This Calamity Jane is not just a nostalgic ride—it’s a testament to the timeless power of music, laughter, and storytelling. Funny, touching, and musically rich, it’s a show that honours its past while proving that there’s still plenty of life in the classics. Whether you’re revisiting the show with fond memories or discovering it for the first time, you’re in for a rootin’-tootin’ good time.

Calamity Jane plays at Mayflower Theatre until 7th June - Tickets available here > https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/calamity-jane-2025/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwt8zABhDKARIsAHXuD7ZDoscEHUtLGD6TUqUHOtIZmhj4pnOMyJS9KppaMgsMk7QhFUWFTjkaAqgjEALw_wcB

Find more information on the show:

https://calamityjanemusical.com