Calamity Jane - New Wimbledon Theatre

In recent years, the UK theatrical scene has been blessed with many a revival, each with varying success. In 2025, it is the turn of the ‘whip-cracking musical classic’ Calamity Jane to make its epic return to the stage, and it certainly lived up to the expectations of its adoring audience. 

Set in 1870s Deadwood, Calamity Jane follows the bold and brash frontierswoman (loosely based on the life of the real Wild West figure Martha Jane Canary) as she tries to impress the town—and her friend Wild Bill Hickok (Vinny Coyle)—by promising to bring back a famous Chicago star, Adelaid Adams. Instead, she mistakenly returns with Katie Brown (Seren Sandham-Davies), a maid posing as the performer, setting off a chain of romantic and comedic misadventures.

Carrie Hope Fletcher leads an extraordinary actor-musician cast in a high-energy, toe-tapping ode to joy. With vocals as daring as they are undeniably electrifying, Fletcher delivers a performance so powerful and immersive that it commands attention and leaves absolutely nothing to be desired.

Photography: Marc Senior

The set transports audiences straight into the dusty heart of the American frontier with a richly atmospheric Western saloon that feels pulled from the pages of a novel. Scuffed wooden floorboards and timeworn chairs suggest countless showdowns and whispered deals. In the back of the stage lies none other than a round stage, with lightbulbs around its edge. This illuminated ring conjures a sense of vintage theatrical glamour, evoking the ambiance of a classic vaudeville stage, whilst retaining the edginess of the scruffy saloon. 

With balconies on either side of the stage, the actors not only observe the unfolding drama but also perform the musical score live, orchestrating a cinematic experience in real time. The result is a seamless fusion of performance and sound, blurring the line between stagecraft and film. What struck this reviewer most is the intricacy of the details in the set, considering the tour only ever stops for a single week per venue. 

Photography: Marc Senior

The work by Nick Winston is yet another triumph for the choreographer. Complete with a high-energy blend of vintage hoe-downs and classic musical theatre jazz, the choreography translates the rustic feel of the show whilst engaging the audience in every physical characterisation. 

In all, this revival of Calamity Jane is a masterclass in theatrical reinvention—spirited, heartfelt, and gloriously alive. With its infectious energy, stellar performances, and meticulously crafted staging, it captures the rugged charm of the Wild West while celebrating the magic of live performance. If the goal of any revival is to honour the original productions whilst breathing new life into it, then this production of Calamity Jane more than hits the mark—it shoots straight and true.

The Whip Crackin’ musical comedy classic will remain at the New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday 17th May, when it will then travel to its next venue – the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury (playing from Tuesday 27th May - 31st May).

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5*)

(Ticket gifted in exchange for an honest review)