Calamity Jane at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh

There is certainly no dead wood on stage at the Festival Theatre this week (sorry, I couldn't resist it!).

From the get-go, the dynamic cast members dive into this rip-roaring romp through the Wild West, showing not just their acting, singing and dancing talents but also their skills as musicians while getting the audience to enthusiastically sing along to Deadwood Stage and The Black Hills of Dakota – and there was I thinking I was the only one old enough to have remembered the Doris Day version back in the day. Obviously, there have been several revivals since then!

At the centre of it all is Carrie Hope Fletcher, and it's plain to see why she has made such an impact on the world of musical theatre and has won so many awards. Pint-sized but powerful, she takes on the role of the gun-toting tom boy with ease, combining a gutsy, hard-hitting performance with slick professionalism.

I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this. Shows like Calamity Jane, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Oklahoma… aren't my favourite genre, but I've been converted. Fast, fun, and hugely entertaining, the story of how real life heroine 'Calam' brings a fake actress to town before falling in love with Wild Bill Hickok (played by a sensuous Vinny Coyle), made my heart sing.

Image: Mark Senior

Festival Theatre Edinburgh: Tue 15-Sat 19 Apr 2025

Liverpool Empire: Tue 22-Sat 26 Apr 2025

York Grand Theatre: Tue 29 Apr-Sat 3 May 2025

New Wimbledon Theatre: Tue 13-Sat 17 May 2025

Canterbury Marlowe Theatre: Tue 27-Sat 31 May 2025

Southampton Mayflower Theatre: Tue 3-Sat 7 Jun 2025

Sheffield Lyceum: Tue 10-Sat 14 Jun 2025

Stoke Regent Theatre: Tue 17-Sat 21 Jun 2025

Blackpool Opera House: Tue 24-Sat 28 Jun 2025

Glasgow Kings Theatre: Tue 1-Sat 5 Jul 2025

Leicester Curve: Tue 8-Sat 12 Jul 2025

Plymouth Theatre Royal: Tue 15-Sat 19 Jul 2025

Hull New Theatre: Tue 22-Sat 26 Jul 2025

Milton Keynes Theatre: Tue 29 Jul-Sat 2 Aug 2025

Truro Hall For Cornwall: Tue 5-Sat 9 Aug 2025

Dublin Bord Gais Energy Theatre: Tue 19-Sat 23 Aug 2025

Llandudno Venue Cymru: Tue 26-Sat 30 Aug 2025

Bradford Alhambra Theatre: Tue 2-Sat 6 Sep 2025

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre: Tue 9-Sat 13 Sep 2025

Bromley Churchill Theatre: Tue 16-Sat 20 Sep 2025

Bristol Hippodrome: Tue 23-Sat 27 Sep 2025