The Regent Theatre was buzzing on Tuesday, 17th June 2025, for the opening night of Calamity Jane. It felt like the theatre was packed to the rafters with fans of the show. From curtain up, the energy was infectious. Audience participation was high, with people singing/clapping along and soaking up the atmosphere the moment the show began.
Carrie Hope Fletcher is made for this role
Carrie’s performance as Calamity is a real highlight. Taking on a role so strongly associated with Doris Day is no small task, but she makes it her own with warmth, humour and vocal power. She delivers a rounded, likeable lead, full of personality and heart. Her rendition of Secret Love rightly draws admiration, delivered with sincerity and vocal warmth; it’s a standout moment in a show packed with lively numbers.
There was a real fan energy in the theatre, the kind you don’t always get on a Tuesday night. And judging by the crowds gathered outside the Stage Door afterwards, that love wasn’t confined to the performance itself.
Musical moments that steal the show
The cast double as the band, playing live instruments on stage as they sing and act their way through hoedowns, heartbreaks and everything in between. It’s an impressive feat, and it gives the show an extra layer of magic.
Big ensemble numbers like The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away) and Windy City had the audience clapping along, while the actor-musician format kept things lively and visually clever. The staging, though simple, uses space well and keeps the energy high.
Happy trails and standing ovations
Calamity Jane is a joyful night out with toe-tapping tunes, sharp performances and bags of charm. Carrie Hope Fletcher leads a talented company through a show that had the Regent crowd smiling, clapping and on their feet by the end. It was a musical highlight for us, and judging by the reception, for everyone else too.
Catch it while you can. The show runs in Stoke until Saturday, 21st June, before continuing its UK tour.
Disclosure: Press tickets for this performance were kindly gifted by The Regent Theatre.
