Review: Calamity Jane Tour at The Regent Theatre*

[Ad-gifted] Saddle up for winks and a wagon full of tunes in this delightful revival of Calamity Jane Tour. Libby Dallimore reviews.

There’s a warm nostalgia that comes with viewing a much-loved musical at the theatre. Hearing those iconic numbers and seeing your favourite characters brought to life once more can take you right back to rainy Sunday afternoons sitting in your nan’s living room watching a classic movie.

Ten years after it’s last tour, Nikolai Foster’s revival of the classic 1953 musical Calamity Jane – made famous by Doris Day – has been whip-crackin’ its way across the UK on a brand-new outing, and now it’s tying off the horses and pullin’ up for a spell at The Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent from Thursday, 17 to Saturday, 21 June. This  Watermill Theatre production, directed by Foster, co-directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, features musical supervision by Olivier, Grammy and Tony Award-winner Catherine Jayes, bringing a fresh twang to this rootin’-tootin’ tale of frontier love and mistaken identity.

What did I think of the Calamity Jane Tour?

Calamity Jane follows our titular frontierswoman as she shoots from the hip through romantic misunderstandings, mistaken identities and gender expectations in a hyper-masculine Wild West. Whilst it may be a bit tongue in cheek at times and certainly a little dated – though I was pleased the racial stereotyping as seen in the original film has been removed – it’s a charming revival full of nostalgic charm.

The vocally gifted and three-time winner of Best Actress in a Musical award for WhatsOnStage, Carrie Hope Fletcher, plays our spirited and lovable heroine. Despite no formal theatrical training, she is immensely talented with enough charisma to light up Deadwood on a moonless night! Her poignant rendition of “Secret Love” really allows her to shine and she performs all numbers with gusto.

Fletcher’s fiery Calamity is matched perfectly by Vinny Coyle’s cool and composed Wild Bill Hickok, whose gravelly vocals and dry wit add balance. The pair – who are real life good friends – have great chemistry and spend the show locked in a spirited battle of wits, each trying to outsmart and outmanoeuvre the other. Fletcher’s quips with Coyle adds playful spark, especially during the duet “I Can Do Without You.”

The set, designed by Matthew Wright, creates a rustic, saloon-style backdrop, complete with swing doors, whiskey barrels and a piano that doubles as a prop wagon. It’s the perfect setting for a whip crackin’ hoedown and the choreography during this scene was a particular stand out moment. The talented actor-musician ensemble showed serious toe tappin’ skill which really uplifted the show as at times the pace did feel a little slow.

Ultimately, is Calamity Jane worth saddling up for you ask? Yes! If you’re a fan of the original film or simply in the mood for some old-fashioned, toe-tappin’ fun, this revival delivers a heart-warming night at the theatre. It leans into its nostalgic roots with charm and humour and will ensure a great night out.

Cast

Carrie Hope Fletcher as Calamity Jane
Vinny Coyle as Wild Bill Hickok
Luke Wilson as Danny Gilmartin
Seren Sandham-Davies as Katie Brown
Samuel Holmes as Francis Fryer
Peter Peverley as Henry Miller
Hollie Cassar as Susan
Mollie-Grace Cutler as Adelaid Adams
Richards Lock as Rattlesnack

Also starring:
Ben Mabberley, Fergus Murphy, Tomas Wolsternholme, Claire Greenway, Lara Lewis, Emma
Jane Morton, Theo Diedrick, Jacob Leeson, Stephen Scott Stark, James Wycherley

Creatives

Nikolai Foster, Original Director
Nick Winston, Co-Director & Choreographer
Catherine Jayes, Musical Supervisor & Orchestrations
Adapted for the stage by Charles K Freeman
From a screenplay by James O’Hanlon
Produced by Warner Bros.
Music by Sammy Fain
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Original orchestral and vocal arrangements by Philip J Lang

How much are the tickets?

Tickets are priced from £15 to £79.50. For Groups (10 or more), call their dedicated Groups team on 020 7206 1174 or email groupsales@atgtickets.com. A transaction charge applies to online/phone bookings. Warning – Gun shots.

How do I book tickets to watch Calamity Jane?

Tickets are now on sale online by visiting ATG’s website here.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The show will be running until Saturday, 21 June 2025. The show runs for 2 hours and 30 minutes including interval at 7.30pm everyday with matinee shows at 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday.

About Regent Theatre

The Regent Theatre is a theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Constructed in 1929 as a cinema, it is one of several theatres in the city centre and one of two owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group. The building was converted for full-time use as a theatre in 1999, and since then has hosted a number of shows and musicals. The theatre is also the northern base for the Glyndebourne Touring Opera.

Tips / Information

Photo Credit: Regent Theatre/Mark Senior

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.