Grab a sarsaparilla and settle in for a 50s flashback with this all-singing, all-dancing stage adaptation of Calamity Jane.
Based on the 1953 film that gave Doris Day a number one hit with Secret Love, this is the story of our overly imaginative tomboy heroine, the thirst for ‘theatre’ in a goldrush town, and criss-crossin’ lovers’ fortunes.
It’s a robust, traditional production with a single scene set that puts the many great songs by Fain and Webster at its centre, including The Deadwood Stage (better known for its “whip crack away” lyric), I Can Do Without You, and The Windy City, together with several audience sing-a-long reprises of The Black Hills of Dakota.
Nick Winston’s choreography is neat, with good use of furniture and props to bring the songs alive and enable creative interactions between the cast, some of whom double up as an impromptu band.
Carrie Hope Fletcher takes the lead as Calamity, verbally duelling with Vinny Coyle as Wild Bill Hickok. They do everything right but don’t quite have the chemistry, though like one of Calamity’s tall stories it’s more fun to believe than worry too much about the details.
Seren Sandham-Davies has more spark as accidental actress Katie Brown, but it is Samuel Holmes as the fretful thespian Francis Fryer who really stands out. He is well matched with Hollie Cassar as Susan.
There aren’t many surprises here, other than the plot and dialogue retaining some distinctly old-fashioned viewpoints but, that aside, it’s a rootin’ tootin’ ride, packed with great songs that stand the test of time.
- Calamity Jane continues at Norwich Theatre Royal until Saturday 12 April then touring nationally.
