With Jodie Prenger as Calamity Jane
Jodie was the winner of I’d Do Anything on BBC TV, giving her the opportunity to play Nancy in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End revival of Oliver!
Calamity Jane can outrun and outshoot any man in Deadwood. Hard, boastful and desperate to impress, she travels to Chicago on the Deadwood Stage to recruit a star, Adelaid Adams. But things don’t go too smoothly for Calamity, as everyone in town favours the new girl and she struggles to keep her jealousy and pride in check. It takes her long standing enemy Wild Bill Hickok to make her see sense, and realise her Secret Love…
With an Oscar nominated score that includes The Black Hills of Dakota, The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), Just Blew in from the Windy City and the award-winning song Secret Love, this intimate actor/musician production will follow in the tradition of The Watermill Theatre’s previous acclaimed musical productions.
We’ll be giving you a Wild West Watermill style welcome this summer…see you in the saloon!
Running Times
Act 1: 75 minutes
Interval: 20 minutes
Act 2: 60 minutes
See more production photos here
See rehearsal pictures here
Watch Jodie Prenger sing Secret Love from Calamity Jane here
For tour information click here
Directed by Nikolai Foster
Musical Arrangements and Supervision by Catherine Jayes
Designed by Matthew Wright
Choreography by Nick Winston
Lighting designed by Richard G Jones
Sound designed by Sebastian Frost
Rob Delaney
Francis Fryer
Anthony Dunn
Henry Miller
Matthew James Hinchliffe
Buck
Jodie Prenger
Calamity Jane
Christina Tedders
Adelaid
“Strong musical and dance contributions, especially from Rob Delaney, and contrasting humour from Paul Kissaun’s phlegmatic Rattlesnake, help this triumph of director Nikolai Foster and choreographer Nick Winston’s ensemble, who act, dance and sing, often simultaneously, with energy and precision in familiar Watermill fashion.” Reviews Gate
“Vivacious revival…” Reviews Gate
Read the full Reviews Gate review here
"a rousing production... that fizzes with energy from the very start.” British Theatre Guide
"...it is a pure delight to watch these thirteen multi-talented actors perform with such brio.” British Theatre Guide
“Directed with flair and panache by Nikolai Foster, this is a jubilant celebration of musical theatre that makes you want to join in with a very sincere YeeHa! Do catch it.” British Theatre Guide
Read the full British Theatre Guide review here
“…director Nikolai Foster steadily builds a roistering atmosphere” The Oxford Times *****
“…there are no weak links in the 13-strong actor-musician cast, all of whom sing and play Catherine Jayes’s sparkling arrangements of Sammy Fain’s score with great gusto.” The Oxford Times *****
"...the urge to jump up and join in the dance numbers is almost overwhelming.” The Oxford Times *****
Read the full Oxford Times review here
"The Watermill has definitely done it again with this sublime whip-cracking version of the popular musical." Basingstoke Gazette
"...brilliant cast of ten actor-musos, perfectly directed by Nikolai Foster..." Basingstoke Gazette
"It’s a delight – and it's sure to be a success when it goes on national tour at the end of this run."
Read the full Basingstoke Gazette review here
“Jodie Prenger is a feisty bombshell as Calamity, admired by the men for her chutzpah but not really taken seriously because of her tendency to exaggerate her exploits (“careless with the truth”). This was a most impressive performance from Prenger, at her best when belting out Deadwood Stage and Just Blew in from the Windy City but bringing pathos and emotion to Secret Love.” Newbury Theatre
“Director Nikolai Foster’s production is fast paced, full of life and great fun. This is what a musical ought to be!” Newbury Theatre
Read the full Newbury Theatre review here
“Tom Lister was superbly cast as Calam’s sparring partner, the handsome Wild Bill Hickok. Listening to his deep, resonant voice singing the romantic Higher Than a Hawk is a joy.” Newbury Weekly News
“There are 13 members in the cast, all of whom deserve much praise…” Newbury Weekly News