Carrie Hope Fletcher stars as Calamity Jane in this whip crackin’ good musical. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the story, you might recognise the songs.
From a screenplay by James O’Hanlon and adapted for the stage by Charles K Freeman, Calamity Jane, with original director Nikolai Foster, and co-director and choreographer Nick Winston, is a joy to watch.
The one song I remember clearly from the Doris Day version is her rendition of ‘Just Blew in from the Windy City’, and Carrie Hope Fletcher doesn’t just do this justice, she brings an extra zest of life to it. Musical supervisor Catherine Jayes really serves the audience a musical treat with this show with each number just as good as the last.
Flicking through the programme for the show, I discovered that Calamity Jane really did exist – her real name was Martha Jane Canary, and she was born in May 1852 at Princetown, Missouri. She was well known for being able to handle a gun and stand up for herself, with “unwelcome advances given short shrift”.
During the performance, Calamity travels to Chicago to bring back the famous singer “Adelaid Adams” – but she mistakenly brings back maid Katie Brown, played by Seren Sandham-Daves, instead. Calamity takes Katie under her wing and tells her that she has fallen for cavalry lieutenant Danny Gilmartin, played by Luke Wilson, and is deeply hurt when Danny falls for Katie.
Calamity is oblivious to Wild Bill Hickok, played by Vinny Coyle, as anything other than a friend, until their relationship changes and they fall in love. The ending celebrates the couples’ love for each other with a double wedding.
You can’t help but warm to Calamity in this performance. Carrie Hope Fletcher really brings this role alive with her powerhouse of a voice. In fact, each character grows on you from the moment they take to the stage.
The set design by Matthew Wright takes you to the spit and sawdust of the wild west with the stage and the bar area cleverly used throughout without interrupting the flow of the performance.
★★★★
Calamity Jane is at Curve until Saturday, July 12.
Tickets £10-£69.50. Limited tickets available.
