Leeds Grand Theatre – until Saturday 8th March 2025
Reviewed by Michelle Richardson
5*****
Based on the beloved 1953 film, starring Doris Day, Calamity Jane is currently playing at the beautiful Leeds Grand Theatre. It has been ten years since the last UK tour of Calamity Jane, which I did see, at a different venue. I was looking forward to seeing this new production, by The Watermill Theatre, at The Grand.
On stage a curtain is drawn, a lone banjo hanging off it, a hillbilly enters the stage not saying a word. He picks up the banjo and the curtain disappears to reveal the Deadwood folk and the first tune of the night, The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), which we were singing in the car on the way to the theatre, and couldn’t help but join in with the cast.
Tough-talking, hard-riding, straight-shooting Calamity Jane (Carrie Hope Fletcher) is a frontierswoman, forever in masculine clothing. She has the biggest mouth in Dakota and can’t resist expanding on her story telling. Her sparring partner is Wild Bill Hickok (Vinny Coyle), best friends with a love hate relationship.
The local saloon has inadvertently booked a male act, instead of female, resulting in a near riots with the patrons. Calamity steps in, promising to bring back renowned actress, Adelaid Adams, from Chicago. She does return, seemingly triumphant, but once Adelaid starts her routine everyone realises something is off and the nervous Katie Brown (Seren Sandham-Davies) reveals herself as Adelaid’s maid. Calamity, who deep down has a heart of gold, persuades the rowdy crowd to give Katie a chance. What follows is not all plain sailing though, with not so much a love triangle as rectangle, with much angst before Calamity come to realise her secret love.
Carrie Hope Fletcher is fabulous as Calamity. She captures Calamity’s daring escapades, colourful personality, and vulnerability under the tomboy exterior. Her vocals are powerful and clear, performed with effortless projection, she is engaging to watch. Vinny Coyle is charismatic on the stage, embodying the role of Bill perfectly. Not only could he act and sing, but his dance skills were so energetic during the hoedowns, I was breathless just watching. They shared great chemistry, I was sure rootin’tootin’ for them.
The supporting cast rustles up some mighty fine performances. Not only do they sing and dance, but most of them play musical instruments. They all play a crucial role in creating a vibrant, playful musical. I must also mention Samuel Holmes as Francis Fryer. He is very funny in his role, showing great comedic timing, especially when trying to pass off as a woman.
The set is mostly a saloon, with a stage at the back, but with the added addition of pink patchwork curtains, would then change to Calamity’s cabin, then be used as a backdrop for the stagecoach. The props were utilised with some imagination, barrels and stools becoming the stagecoach, and the actors using umbrellas to get across the motion of a moving coach, enhancing the story telling. Set on the stage of The Grand, only added to the experience.
Calamity Jane is packed full of classic songs that you would expect, from The Black Hills of Dakota, Secret Love and Just Blew in from the Windy City. It is full of humour, spirited performances and energy, which resonates on stage and permeates through to the audience.
I have to say that I loved the film of Calamity Jane, even though it was released before I was born, and it is one of my all-time favourite films. The show lived up to expectations and didn’t disappoint, I was thoroughly entertained and swept away by the performance.
A fun, lighthearted feelgood musical that is good for the soul. I would watch again and again.