This touring production of Calamity Jane rolled into The Bristol Hippodrome this week and Nailsea People went along on press night, Tuesday, September 23.
The musical is an adaptation of the much-loved 1953 musical that starred Doris Day at Calamity Jane, so it had big breeches to fill. 

The musical was true to the classic golden age feel.

Set in the wild west town of Deadwood City, saloon owner Henry Miller played by Peter Peverley has booked a voluptuous entertainer whom he thought was a woman to perform. 

Turns out Francis Fryer is a he. 

Miller gets Francis to dress up as a woman and then the fun starts…

Fearless Calamity Jane sets out to save Henry Miller's reputation and prove herself by bringing a famous actress Adelaid Adams to town, but mayhem follows when she brings her maid Katie Brown back by mistake. 

Rivalries, misunderstandings and unexpected love all unfold, carried along by the whip-crackin’ and rollicking songs that audiences know and adore and lots of comedy moments.

This production was adapted from James O’Hanlon’s screenplay by Charles K Freeman, directed by Nikolai Foster, with Nick Winston serving as co-director and choreographer. 

The musical supervisor was Catherine Jayes. 

Calamity Jane played by award-winning musical star Carrie Hope Fletcher was superb. 

Fletcher fully captured the sass and fearlessness of the role; her comic timing was brilliant.

We also see her cleverly balance toughness with warmth, and her softer side beneath the bravado.  

My standout moment was her breathtaking rendition of Secret Love.

Vinny Coyle looked to be having a ball playing Wild Bill Hickok. 

There was good chemistry between Coyle and Fletcher. 

His rendition of Higher than a Hawk accompanied by an acoustic guitar was outstanding.

Supporting cast who stood out included Francis Fryer who was mistakenly booked to perform in Deadwood.

Played by Samuel Holmes he was hilarious and got loads of laughs from the audience when he was on stage.    

The old, bearded prospector who opened the show engaged the audience immediately and got lots of laughs. 

He delivered comic moments throughout the show. 

Other notable moments - the developing friendship and bond between Calamity and Katie Brown played by Seren Sandham-Davies as the downtrodden maid of Adelaide Adams and the way the stage was used during the duet A Woman’s Touch.

The ensemble cast of actor-musicians were fabulous, seamlessly blended playing their instruments live with high energy dances and songs and transitioning with ease into acting.

The production didn’t really develop or evolve the character of Luke Wilson as Danny Gilmartin or give the character the stage time and presence to be the strong, gentlemanly knight in shining armour which we know and love.