Carrie Hope Fletcher stars in whip-crackin’ musical Calamity Jane

FIFTY YEARS SINCE THE SHOW’S FIRST UK PREMIERE IN SHEFFIELD

Gosh almighty! The revival of the Broadway and West End hit musical comedy Calamity Jane is touring this year, starring West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher.

Based on the much-loved Doris Day movie, this foot-stomping new production features all the sure-fire classic songs including The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), The Black Hills of Dakota, Just Blew in from the Windy City, and the Oscar-winning Secret Love.

Calamity Jane enjoyed its British professional premiere on the Crucible stage in Sheffield as the final production directed by the first Artistic Director of the Crucible Colin George in 1974. The titular role was played by Lynda Marchal, more commonly known since as screenwriter and novelist Lynda La Plante.

Taking on the role fifty years later is multi-award winner Carrie Hope Fletcher who has thrice taken home the WhatsOnStage award for Best Actress in a Musical. She recently originated the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella (Gillian Lynn Theatre, West End), with her previous credits including Veronica in Heathers, Wednesday in The Addams Family and Eponine in Les Misérables.

The fearless, gun slingin’ Calamity Jane is the biggest mouth in Dakota territory and always up for a fight. She’ll charm you hog-eyed though, especially when trying to win the heart of the dashing Lieutenant Gilmartin, or shooting insults at her best friend Wild Bill Hickock.

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 Watermill Theatre’s Production of Calamity Jane, is directed by Nikolai Foster, co-directed and choreographed by Nick Winston and features musical supervision by Olivier, Grammy and Tony Award winner Catherine Jayes.