Calamity Jane – Review – Bradford Alhambra
By Christine Goode, September 2025
Yee-haw! The new autumn–winter season kicks off this week as Calamity Jane comes galloping through Bradford, making a stop at the Alhambra. I remember, as a child, watching the classic film with my mother, starring the iconic Doris Day, and saying, “I want to sing and dance like her!” When I heard the show was touring, all guns blazing, I was there.
It’s opening night and the theatre is packed with a variety of ages – some even wearing cowboy hats and really embracing the Western theme. There are so many musicals out there, with new ones constantly emerging, that sometimes the time-honoured classics are forgotten. I was delighted when this tour was announced.
The story is set in the gold-mining town of Deadwood in the American West during the 1870s. We meet Calamity (based on the true-life character Martha ‘Calamity Jane’ Canary), a sharpshooter who falls in love with cavalry Lt. Danny Gilmartin after rescuing him from the Indians. Always ready to help her community, Calamity recognises that her townsfolk are longing for decent entertainment, so she heads to Chicago to bring back the famous actress Adelaide Adams. Instead, she mistakenly returns with Adams’s maid, Katie Brown. The story is full of misunderstandings, love, loss, and fun – but in the end, does Calamity get her man?
“Powered through classics”
The set and costume design by Matthew Wright is impressive. We begin in a Wild West saloon. Although the set does not change, clever use of a few smaller props, imagination, and well-timed acting transports us from a stagecoach to a train, and eventually to Calamity’s run-down shack. The period costumes are wonderful – from sumptuous silks and lace for the ladies to authentic, dusty cowboy plaids for the men – with every minute detail included.
The songs are iconic. Audience members were singing ‘The Black Hills of Dakota’ from the start, as well as dancing along in their seats as the show powered through classics such as ‘The Windy City’, ‘Deadwood Stage’ and ‘A Woman’s Touch’.
Carrie Hope Fletcher takes the leading role as Calamity, delighting musical theatre fans as they flock to see the West End star in the title role. Fletcher’s portrayal of the feisty tomboy character is top-class, and she steals the show with the love song ‘Secret Love’. She gives a powerful and emotive performance, with smooth, rich tones that captivate the audience, who in return give her rapturous applause at the end. Wild Bill Hickok is perfectly played by Tomas Wolstenholme, who delivers an outstanding performance as Calamity’s friend and love interest. Katie Brown, played by Seren Sandham-Davies, gives a stand-out performance as the bumbling assistant who misleads Calamity into thinking she is someone else, and shines as she belts out ‘It’s Harry I’m Planning to Marry’.
“Toe-tapping”
Choreography by Nick Winston is simple yet spot-on – hoe-downs, soft-shoe shuffles, and country dancing are all perfectly executed by the wonderful cast. Many of them are also accomplished musicians as well as actors, dancers, and singers. It was quite incredible to see these quadruple threats play instruments while singing, dancing, and acting.
This is a definite feel-good show, which had the audience singing and toe-tapping along throughout. A well-deserved standing ovation at the end reminded us all that the old ones are still the best, while also introducing today’s young musical theatre lovers to a true classic.
Calamity Jane runs at the Bradford Alhambra from 2–6 September 2025
images: Mark Senior
Christine Goode founded her own dance school – The May School of Dance & Theatre Arts over three decades ago. Her dedication to teaching and love of dance, has created many successful artists in the industry, and she is delighted that many of her former students have now returned with their children, allowing them to also discover this beautiful art. She has choreographed, produced and directed shows over the last 36 years, and is devoted to all live theatre and music. Now in her third year of writing about her obsession with the arts, Christine loves to encourage everyone to see as much live theatre as possible.
maydanceschool.co.uk
