Based on the 1953 Doris Day movie musical, Calamity Jane made its stage debut in 1961, featuring five new songs not included in the original film.
Since then, the show has been performed all around the world, with iconic actors such as Carol Burnett, Ginger Rogers, Barbara Windsor, Toyah Willcox, and most recently Jodie Prenger, taking on the lead role.
The UK & Ireland tour of Calamity Jane is playing this week at London’s New Wimbledon Theatre.
Find out more about Calamity Jane and future tour dates.
Now, Calamity Jane is back and rollin’ on over the plains to the New Wimbledon Theatre as part of it’s UK tour. Directed by Nikolai Foster and Nick Winston and headlined by West-End favourite Carrie Hope Fletcher it promises to be a rootin’-tootin’ good time you won’t want to miss!
Calamity Jane follows the adventures of the fearless and outspoken Calamity Jane, the most notorious gunslinger in Dakota territory. Known for her quick temper and even quicker draw, Calamity is always ready for a fight. Despite her rough exterior, she has a soft spot for the dashing Lieutenant Gilmartin and often finds herself at odds with the charming yet infuriating Wild Bill Hickok.
The plot thickens when the men of Deadwood become infatuated with Chicago stage star Adelaid Adams, igniting Calamity’s jealousy. As she navigates her feelings and rivalries, Calamity’s heart races – but is it for the Lieutenant, Wild Bill, or someone else entirely?
Carrie Hope Fletcher leads this production with a confident and committed performance. As Calamity—“the biggest mouth in Dakota Territory”—she tackles the fast-paced dialogue with enthusiasm and delivers strong vocals in familiar numbers like Whip-Crack-Away! and Just Blew in from the Windy City. Her rendition of the 11 o’clock number, Secret Love, was especially moving and stood out as a highlight of the evening.
As Wild Bill Hickok, Vinny Cole gives a solid performance, matching Fletcher’s energy and charm. Their duet, I Can Do Without You, was a playful Act One highlight, while Cole’s solo Higher Than a Hawk opened Act Two with grace and control. Luke Wilson offered a warm and sincere performance as Danny Gilmartin, and his gentle Love You Dearly was a lovely showcase of his voice. Samuel Holmes brought fun and flair to the role of Francis Fryer, sharing great chemistry with Hollie Cassar’s self-assured and engaging Susan.
A standout performance came from Seren Sandham-Davies as Katie. She embraced every moment with energy and wit, often drawing the biggest laughs from the audience. Her versatility shone in ’Tis Harry I’m Plannin’ to Marry, A Woman’s Touch (with Fletcher) and Love You Dearly. Her vibrant presence and vocal clarity left a lasting impression.
This production featured talented actor-musicians performing Catherine James’s vibrant orchestrations, seamlessly weaving through the action—a testament to Nick Winston’s dynamic choreography. However, their occasional disappearance to the wings disrupted the flow. With Matthew Wright’s set including two side balconies, keeping the band visible throughout might have maintained the show’s cohesion.
We can all agree that the world has made significant strides in equality and inclusivity since the movie was written and the musical premiered in 1961. When this particular production first premiered in 2014, the original book was revised to address outdated stereotypes. Since then, the world has continued to evolve. This production, however, still leans on jokes that feel jarringly out of step—expecting laughs Francis Fryer in a dress and suggesting that “female thinking” is inherently soft. These moments felt tone-deaf and regressive, drawing uneasy sniggers and dragging the show’s sensibilities back decades.
That said, this production of Calamity Jane boasts an exceptionally talented cast who throw themselves into the material with infectious energy and charm. If you’re willing to overlook the dated elements of the book, there’s still plenty of fun to be had. With toe-tapping tunes and lively performances, it’s an entertaining night out. The show continues its journey across the UK—so what are you waiting for, you wild coyotes? Whip-crack-away and grab your tickets now!
Reviewed by Stuart James
If you enjoy/have enjoyed any of these performances, why not nominate them for a West End Wilma Award
