Calamity Jane at Winter Gardens Blackpool Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Cath Joyce

Last night, we visited Blackpool Opera House to see the musical, Calamity Jane. With West End star, Carrie Hope Fletcher, taking on the lead role of the legendary Calamity Jane and Vinny Cole as the suave Wild Bill Hickok, this lively production brought a dusty slice of the American Wild West to Blackpool and we absolutely loved it!

The story is inspired by the real-life frontierswoman Martha Jane Canary, or Calamity Jane as she’s better known, a fiercely independent character who dressed like a man, rode like the wind, and certainly didn’t follow convention!. If you’re not familiar with the story, it is set in the town of Deadwood, where Calamity tries to help the local saloon owner after he mistakenly books a male actor in place of a glamorous female performer. They persuade him to don a dress and perform anyway, but when his wig flies off mid-song, the audience is not impressed!

Determined to put things right, Calamity promises to bring back the famous Chicago music hall star Adelaide Adams – and we start on a journey that is packed full of comedy, friendships, and a spot of romance all set to the songs we know and love from the classic film.

Carrie Hope Fletcher is absolutely fantastic in the lead role. She’s bold and boisterous yet has just the right amount of vulnerability and her powerful voice soars effortlessly through the well known songs. She is wonderful to watch, whether stomping across the stage with a gun in her hand or sharing tender moments with Wild Bill Hickok. The pair have great chemistry and Vinny Cole captures the dry wit and laid back charm of Hickok perfectly.

The dancing, choreographed by Nick Winston, was a real highlight of the night, the hoe-down sequences were bursting with energy and amazing to watch. There wasn’t a foot out of place and we soon found our feet tapping along with the music.

The impressive set filled the stage of the theatre and served primarily as the interior of the Deadwood theatre. With its wood-planked charm it was easy to feel we were in the Wild West and it was easily transformed into Calamity Jane’s humble shack and the opulence of a Chicago dressing room. The balconies added another layer of theatrical magic, providing space for the talented cast to double as onstage musicians. From fiddlers nestled high above the saloon to a double bass in a corner, the use of these upper levels was not only practical but also very effective, using every inch of the space to put on a great show. I also liked how they turned the piano into a stagecoach with cast members using umbrellas to show the movement of the coach, it was surprisingly effective and added another Western touch to the show .

All the cast were fantastic but we especially liked Rattlesnake, whilst he is a minor character, the bearded prospector, played by Richard Lock, added plenty of humour to the night and he also had an amazing voice.

Calamity Jane is a foot-stomping, heart-warming show and if it’s coming to a town near you this summer, make sure you go and see it!

Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £23.95
Calamity Jane is at Blackpool Opera House until Saturday 28th June 2025.
For more information or to book tickets visit: www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk or call the box office on 0844 770 0593
Winter Gardens Blackpool, Church Street, Blackpool, FY11HU