Calamity Jane

This show has now closed, click here for a listing of current and future London shows

Musical Opened 26 June 2003, Closed 20 September 2003

Shaftesbury Theatre 210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London.

Toyah Willcox stars in this feel-good musical hit of the summer!

Calamity Jane centres around Calamity's effort to save Deadwood's entertainment venue, The Golden Garter, from ruin by bringing the singing star, Adelaide Adams, to perform there. Calamity promises the patrons of the Garter that she will personally bring Miss Adams back from Chicago.

In Chicago, she sees Adelaide Adam's show, from the back of the theatre, but later mistakes Miss Adams' stage struck maid, Katie Brown, for the star. Katie, realising the mistake, seizes the opportunity to make her dreams come true by posing as Adelaide.

After crossing dangerous terrain, with Indians in hot pursuit, the two arrive in Deadwood to tremendous fanfare. The men are delighted that Calamity has kept 'her word' and brought the great Adelaide to perform for them. Especially pleased are Lt. Danny Gillmartin and Wild Bill Hickock, who both immediately take a liking to 'Miss Adams'.

On her opening night, Katie goes onstage and gives a disastrous performance. A disappointed audience boos her after she confesses that she has deceived them. Calamity comes to her rescue, imploring the angry crowd to give Katie a chance. Surprisingly, they agree to let her sing. With renewed confidence, Katie delivers a great show and Deadwood now has it's own 'Adelaide Adams'.

Katie and Calamity become close friends and share Jane's cabin. But when Lt. Gillmartin becomes smitten with Katie, Calamity becomes jealous and orders Katie to get out of town. Katie, not wanting to come between Calamity and 'the man she loves', leaves Deadwood.

Meanwhile, 'Calamity' begins to see Bill in a different way; as the man she has 'secretly' loved all along. Katie has cultivated Calamity's feminine side since her arrival and she is starting to turn heads in the town - including Bill's. It is not long before Calamity and Bill are declaring undying love for each other.

When Calamity discovers that Katie has actually left Deadwood, she vows to bring her back. She catches up with the stagecoach to tell Katie the news that she is getting married, but that she would be 'Mrs. Hickock', not 'Mrs Gilmartin'. A double wedding ensues with Katie marrying the lieutenant and Bill marrying the now more feminine, Calamity Jane.

Includes the classic songs: 'The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away)', 'Windy City' and 'Secret Love'.