Calamity Jane | Venue Cymru

The Wild West has blown in to the seaside town of Llandudno as Calamity Jane approaches the last few venues on its UK tour. Currently playing at Venue Cymru, the new production, directed by Nikolai Foster and Nick Winston, was originally staged at The Watermill Theatre in 2014, but has been remounted as it travels around the country.  

Calamity Jane is a classic musical based on the ‘legend’ of Martha Canary. Set in the rough-and-tumble town of Deadwood, it follows the larger-than-life character of Calamity Jane. She’s known for exaggerating her exploits and trying to prove she's as tough as any man. The original film made Doris Day a household name in the role, but in this production, it’s stage favourite Carrie Hope Fletcher who steps into Jane’s iconic boots.

The story takes a little while to find its stride, but once it does, it’s full steam ahead. After a mix-up at the Deadwood theatre leaves the locals less than impressed, Calamity boldly promises to bring Chicago’s biggest star, Adelaide Adams, to town. When the ‘star’ arrives into town, it sets off a chain of events with Calamity firmly in the midst of it all.

Like many musicals of its era, Calamity Jane doesn’t boast the most intricate plot—it’s fairly light on story. But that simplicity makes it all the more watchable, with a clear, crowd-pleasing narrative. The humour is broad and accessible with plenty of laughs that the North Wales audience were clearly enjoying. 

The score is perhaps where the show falls a little short. It includes well-known numbers like ‘The Deadwood Stage’ and ‘Just Blew In from the Windy City’, along with plenty of toe-tapping tunes that are fun in the moment. However, it lacks one or two standout showstoppers that stick with you once the show has finished. That said, the songs are still enjoyable and work well within the context of the show.

Matthew Wright’s set design perfectly grounds the audience in the recognisable location of Deadwood with its distinct wooden buildings as well as its very own theatre brought to life on stage. Wright, however, transports location cleverly with the use of limited props and scenic backdrops, all supported by Tim Mitchell’s expressive lighting, which adds depth and atmosphere throughout. A particular highlight was how the stagecoach was brought to life that transported Calamity between Deadwood and Chicago using a combination of props, people and lighting. Winston’s choreography is playful yet true to the period, with the tap numbers and the final hoedown sequences standing out as particularly enjoyable highlights.

The cast is where the heart of the production truly comes to life. Featuring a dynamic ensemble of actor-musicians, the show sounds rich and full, adding an extra layer of depth to the storytelling. Hope Fletcher as Calamity Jane—a confident, charismatic, and refreshingly youthful presence. She brings guts and charm to the role, making it entirely her own. Opposite her, Tomas Wolstenholme steps in as Wild Bill Hickok, taking over from Vinny Coyle due to the latter’s indisposition. Wolstenholme rises to the occasion with ease, delivering a performance that is both compelling and assured, offering strong chemistry with Fletcher throughout.

The supporting cast shone just as brightly as the leads, with local talent Seren Sandham-Davies particularly impressive as Katie Brown. Her performance was well-rounded and full of energy. Samuel Holmes was brilliant as Francis Fryer, delivering sharp comedic timing and fully embracing the character’s eccentricities to great effect. The cast worked really well together and had great chemistry, bouncing off each other naturally.

While Calamity Jane may be headlined by a star name, it’s the talented ensemble and cohesive creative vision that bring the show to life. A classic tale told in a fresh way, it makes for a enjoyable evening at the theatre. A lively Wild West romp with toe-tappin’ tunes, Calamity Jane is bang on target!