Photo credit Mark Senior
The Wild West rides again in the 2025 UK tour of Calamity Jane, a high-spirited revival of the 1953 Doris Day and Howard Keel classic that’s captivated audiences for generations with its infectious energy and brilliant musical numbers. Under Nikolai Foster’s direction, the tour started in January of this year and has made its way to Regent Theatre on its latest leg.
Anchored by a barnstorming performance from Carrie Hope Fletcher in the titular role, it is loosely based on the real life of Wild West heroine Calamity Jane and explores a romance between her and Wild Bill Hickok.
The show opens humorously, but the curtains draw back to show Matthew Wright’s set—a weathered saloon interior, which drops you straight into the Dakota town of Deadwood. The actor-musician ensemble, wield fiddles, guitars, and even a double bass and deliver the classic score, including, from the get-go, “Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away)” to immediately set the energy levels high .
Carrie Hope Fletcher was fantastic as Calamity Jane, strutting across the stage nailing Jane’s larger-than-life bravado, whether boasting about her sharpshooting or bumbling awkwardly trying to make sense of her feelings. Her rendition of “Secret Love” was superb, completing her character’s romantic epiphany.
Vinny Coyle is Wild Bill Hickok, carrying off his characters’ brashness toward Jane, denying his suppressed feelings for her. His vocals shining in “Higher Than a Hawk.” and good onstage chemistry with Carrie Hope Fletcher.
The supporting cast is really strong. Seren Sandham-Davies’ Katie Brown brings warmth and pluck, her duet on “A Woman’s Touch” was quaint and a symbol of female camaraderie. Samuel Holmes, as Francis Fryer, was hilarious and acommpanied with a good dancing performance in ‘Hoedown’. Luke Wilson gave a strong performance as love rival Danny, whilst Richard Lock was amusing as Rattlesnake.
Efforts to modernise the tale have been made, without compromising the production or the entertainment. By the time the final curtain fell, the audience were upstanding and clapping along to “Deadwood Stage” and “Hoedown” encores.
It’s high entertainment with a fantastic score and whip cracking fun! The show runs until 21st with several matinees. Tickets are available from the box office or online here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/calamity-jane/regent-theatre/
