Well, butter my biscuits if this ain’t the most plumb fancy production of “Calamity Jane” I ever did see at the Theatre Royal Brighton! Based on the much-loved Doris Day movie, this here show had me smirking and toe tapping from start to finish.
Award-winning West End actress and singer Carrie Hope Fletcher leads this wild bunch as yours truly – the fearless, gun slingin’ Calamity Jane, who’s got the biggest mouth in Dakota territory and always up for a fight. But when the men of Deadwood fall hard for Chicago stage star Adelaid Adams, Calamity struggles to keep her jealousy holstered. Her heart’s a thumpin’… but who for?
The cast is slicker than a greased wagon wheel! Vinny Coyle cuts a mighty fine figure as Wild Bill Hickock, Luke Wilson charms as Danny, and Seren Sandham-Davies rounds out this talented posse.
All them sure-fire classic songs – “The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away),” “The Black Hills of Dakota,” “Just Blew in from the Windy City” – are delivered with a foot stompin’ engagement that’ll have you jiggling in your fancy theatre seats! The singers all shine brighter than a new silver dollar, with Hope Fletcher’s delivery of classic gay anthem “Secret Love” bein’ particularly tender and wistful. Had me dabbin’ at my eyes with my kerchief, I tell ya!
Director Nikolai Foster drives this stagecoach with relentless energy, and the choreography from Nick Winston is toe tappin’ and fills the stage with endless movement, sometimes it looks a touch crowded but that’s the limitations of the Theatre Royal stage. ‘The Golden Garter’ set is a fine thing to behold and is repurposed throughout the show. The all singing, all playing ensemble thrill with their playing, singing and dancing skills – versatile as a Swiss Army knife, the lot of ’em! This truncated plot still hits all the right moments and keeps the story trotting along nicely.
Full cast and creatives on the UK tour site
Now, if you overlook the rather dodgy premise of the constant emphasis on Calamity’s character’s flouting normative gender roles then only really being fulfilled in a dress, (hey it’s a musical after all…) , then this is a warm, fun and highly entertaining night of well loved classics. The audience, quite rightly, loved it.
So saddle up, partners, and get yourselves down to the Theatre Royal before this show gallops outta town!
Until Sat 5th April
for more info or to book tickets see the Theatre Royal Brighton website:
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