Calamity Jane @ Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Toe-tapping, whip-cracking musical Calamity Jane rolls into town with a sparkling revival of the 1953 classic. This new version brings a fresh shot of energy to the Festival Theatre, with enough charm, swagger, and heartfelt moments to transport you to the Wild West.

Leading the charge is Carrie Hope Fletcher as the titular frontierswoman, delivering a Calamity Jane who’s gutsy, hilarious, and unexpectedly sweet. She performs her numbers with gusto, bringing new depth to familiar numbers like Secret Love and The Deadwood Stage. She’s matched beautifully by the suave, steady presence of Vinny Coyle's Wild Bill Hickok, whose gravelly vocals and deadpan humour provide the perfect foil. Throughout the show they push each other to their limits of who can outsmart and outmanovere who, with Jane going to great lengths to prove she can rough it with the best of them, with hilarious consequences.

What sets this production apart is its playful, actor-musician staging. The talented ensemble not only sing and dance – they continuously play fiddle, banjo, and double bass with foot-stomping flair. The plot takes place in one location that, through clever lighting and props seamlessly transitions from scene to scene, keeping the focus on the characters and action at play.

There’s a warm undercurrent of modernity throughout, too. Director Nikolai Foster isn’t afraid to lean into Calamity Jane’s identity as a woman out of place – or perhaps ahead of her time. Her defiance of traditional femininity is handled with humour and heart, without becoming heavy-handed.

At its core, this Calamity Jane is about finding belonging: in a town, in a relationship, and in your own skin. It’s rip-roaring fun, but also surprisingly tender. Whether you’re a die-hard musical lover or not, this production is sure to have you line dancing your way home.

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Calamity Jane, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, until 19 Apr then touring the UK, including King's Theatre, Glasgow, 1-5 Jul