16/01/2025
Review: Calamity Jane at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
Nightly until 18 January
By Simon Eccles
If you’re seeking a vibrant, toe-tapping musical to lift your January spirits, then gallop over to the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre for Calamity Jane. This joyous production, running until 18 January 2025, brings the Wild West to life with charm, energy, and a touch of comedy gold.
Adapted from the popular 1961 stage musical (itself inspired by the 1953 Doris Day film), this rendition stays true to its light-hearted roots. The plot—a whirlwind of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and theatrical hijinks—is set in the gold rush town of Deadwood in the 1870s. While history might take a backseat, the delightful songs and engaging performances make it a night to remember.
Matthew Wright’s versatile set design deserves special praise. Ingeniously transformed throughout the show, it evokes everything from Deadwood’s dusty streets and saloons to Chicago’s glittering theatres, a pioneer’s humble hut, and even a stagecoach or train. The inventive use of stage furniture is nothing short of magical, allowing the action to flow seamlessly from one location to the next.
At the heart of the performance is Carrie Hope Fletcher, who brings grit and charisma to her portrayal of the titular Calamity Jane. Her transformation from brash, gun-slinging frontierswoman to vulnerable romantic is convincing and heartfelt. Fletcher’s chemistry with Vinny Coyle, playing frontier lawman and gambler Wild Bill Hickock, evolves throughout. Their journey from playful antagonism to heartfelt connection is the emotional core of the production.
Seren Sandham-Davies shines as Katie Brown, the Chicago maid who stumbles into stardom in Deadwood. Her chemistry with Luke Wilson’s charming Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin adds a sweet subplot to the show. Meanwhile, Samuel Holmes delivers a comedic masterclass as Francis Fryer, the actor hilariously mistaken for the glamorous actress Frances Fryer. Holmes’s timing and comedy lifted the production.
Of course, the true stars of Calamity Jane are the songs, and this production delivers them with gusto. Favourites like “Deadwood Stage,” “Just Blew In From the Windy City,” and “Black Hills of Dakota” are performed with infectious energy, drawing the audience into the story. Impressively, many cast members double as musicians, playing their instruments live on stage and adding a sense of authenticity.
The second night’s performance, attended by Wendover News, was met with enthusiasm by the audience, some of whom sang along to the show’s hit tunes. Among them were 26 members of the Vale Musical Society, who had staged their own production of Calamity Jane in 2023.
In the end, Calamity Jane is a rollicking good time—a love letter to classic musical theatre with a warm heart and an energetic cast. With just a few performances left, don’t miss your chance to catch this feel-good show before it rides off into the sunset.
THE WHIP CRACKIN’ MUSICAL CLASSIC
