A Wild West Love Story Full of Heart and Humour
Calamity Jane the Musical bursts onto the stage with all the spirit, humour and charm of the classic film we know and love. Set in the rugged town of Deadwood, South Dakota, the story follows the fearless, gun-slinging Calamity Jane as she navigates life in a male-dominated frontier world. From her exaggerated tales and tomboy bravado to her unexpected vulnerability, we follow Calamity’s journey as she falls unexpectedly – and reluctantly – in love with Wild Bill Hickok.
At its core, the musical is a heartwarming tale of transformation, friendship, and love. With a sprinkle of old-fashioned comedy, plenty of sharp-shooting banter, and timeless songs, it captures the nostalgic joy of the Doris Day original while injecting fresh energy for a new generation.
Set, Lighting and Costume – A Golden Glow of Nostalgia
The production design effortlessly transports audiences to the golden plains of the Wild West. The set is charmingly rustic – from the rickety saloons and swinging doors to the rolling hills of the Black Hills – enhanced beautifully by warm, dusky lighting that evokes prairie sunsets and bustling barroom nights. Costume-wise, it’s a feast of fringing, check shirts, leather holsters, and petticoats – authentic yet playful, and full of personality. The overall effect is immersive without ever distracting from the stellar performances at its centre.
Carrie Hope Fletcher Shines as Calamity Jane
There’s no denying it: Calamity Jane belongs to Carrie Hope Fletcher. From the moment she strides onto the stage, she is Calamity – a whirlwind of chaotic energy, quick wit, and stubborn pride. Fletcher brings a delightful balance of grit and vulnerability to the role, capturing both the swagger and softness of the character. Her vocals are nothing short of stunning – rich, powerful, and full of emotion.
One moment that stood out was her performance of Secret Love. As the first notes began, a wave of emotion rolled through the auditorium. For many – myself included – it brought back memories of watching the film with family. In that moment, Carrie’s voice blended with echoes of Doris Day and personal nostalgia, giving me genuine goosebumps. It was theatre magic.
Carrie Hope Fletcher long pre-dates her powerful Calamity Jane turn — she began performing as a child, landing her first professional role at age five in a Honey Nut Cheerios advert, and by age seven was already playing Young Éponine in Les Misérables in the West End. Over the years, Fletcher has returned to Les Misérables in multiple roles — she made history as the only British actress to portray Young Éponine, older Éponine, and later Fantine in the same production. She went on to star as Jemima Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Jane Banks in Mary Poppins, Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family tour, and most notably originated the role of Veronica Sawyer in the original West End run of Heathers: The Musical — winning the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Fletcher also made her mark as Cinderella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella, earning another WhatsOnStage Best Actress award and recognition on a Grammy-nominated cast album. In short, she’s become one of Britain’s brightest musical theatre stars, celebrated for her deep emotional voice, star-quality presence, and storytelling prowess.
A Faultless Onstage Chemistry
The chemistry between Carrie and Vinny Coyle, who plays the charming yet infuriating Wild Bill Hickok, is electric. Their bickering, barbed exchanges are undercut with smouldering tension that builds deliciously over the course of the show. The spark between them is undeniable – their comedic timing is sharp, their romantic arc believable, and their stage presence together simply faultless.
A Cast Full of Talent
The entire ensemble delivers a lively, joy-filled performance. Seren Sandham-Davies brings warmth and grace to Katie Brown, and Fergus Murphy (stepping in as Danny last night) was superb – radiating confidence and warmth. As Henry Miller, Peter Peverley was pitch-perfect – brilliantly timed and hugely entertaining. Each performer contributes to a vibrant, musical celebration of community and change. The cast’s ability to play musical instruments live on stage added an extra layer of energy and authenticity to the performance.
Direction, Production & Choreography – A Job Well Done
Under the direction of Nikolai Foster, the show finds a perfect rhythm – blending heart and humour with a generous dose of musical theatre magic. Choreographer Nick Winston deserves a huge round of applause for the whip-cracking, toe-tapping routines that had the audience grinning from ear to ear. There’s an infectious energy in the choreography that drives the show forward, especially in numbers like Just Blew in from the Windy City and Deadwood Stage.
Producers Jamie Wilson, Gavin Kalin, Kevin McCollum to name a few have delivered a show that honours the original while breathing new life into it. It’s a pitch-perfect blend of feel-good nostalgia and modern musical brilliance.
Catch It Before It Rides Out of Town!
If you’re looking for a feel-good musical packed with catchy songs, old-school romance, cowboy hats, and a whole lot of whip-cracking joy, then don’t miss Calamity Jane at 
Milton Keynes Theatre. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or discovering the story for the first time, this production is sure to make you smile.
It’s running until Saturday 2nd August, and trust me – it’s a whip-cracking sensation!
Note - Last night there were two cast changes Danny was played by Fergus Murphy and Joe was played by Jacob Leeson.
