Hull New Theatre – until 26th July 2025
Reviewed by Dawn Bennett
5*****
From the minute the curtain went up to the very last note, the cast of Calamity Jane never let the energy wain at all. They were all so good, excellent singers, dancers and actors and not forgetting some of the fabulous actor/musicians being part of the action as well!
Based on the 1953 film Calamity Jane starring Doris Day, this fabulous production stars Carrie Hope Fletcher in the title role, she is magnificent, her vocals and her diction were brilliant. She really embodied the character. The script stays very true to the film; Calamity lives in Deadwood a town in America miles from anywhere and only accessible by stagecoach…not much goes on in the town but theatre owner Henry Miller (Peter Peverley) decides to hire an act to entertain the town. But instead of the sultry actress and singer that the town expects, he manages to hire Francis Fryer (played by the excellent Samuel Holmes) instead. The town people are in uproar and Calamity offers to go the Chicago and get the number one pin up of the time, Adelaid Adams (Molly-Grace Cutler). Calamity hasn’t seen Miss Adams so when her maid, Katie Brown (Seren Sandham-Davies) manages to convince Calamity that she is Adelaid what could possibly go wrong when the pair return to Deadwood?! Calamity is in love with Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin (Luke Wilson) and Katies arrival really puts the cat amongst the pigeons as both him and Wild Bill Hickok (Vinny Coyle) profess their love for Katie, much to Calamity Janes outrage. And what follows shows the path of true love really never runs smoothly!
The band, under musical director Christopher Mundy, played the very recognisable excellently, with songs such as Deadwood Stage, Just Blew in From the Windy City, Black Hills of Dakota, Secret Love and many more.
If you are a fan of the film or just a fan of an entertaining, brilliantly executed musical this is one for you. If you go and watch this fabulous show you will leave the theatre with a smile on your face, a spring in your step and be singing the songs on your way home…I know I did!!