Calamity Jane set to ‘whip-crack-away’ into Edinburgh this September!

 Preview by Anne Mackie

Calamity Jane will embark on a national UK tour for the first time since 2002. Riding into the Edinburgh Playhouse in September, the revived production will feature acclaimed BBCtalent show winner Jodie Prenger in the title role and will be directed by Nikolai Foster.

The production, produced by the Watermill Theatre alongside Jamie Wilson, Paul Elliott and Duncan C Weldon is due to open at the same venue in Newbury before blowing into various‘windy cities’ including Plymouth, Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Bristol, Nottingham, Cardiff and Milton Keynes. Additional tour dates are to be announced shortly.

Calamity Jane was adapted for the stage by Charles K. Freeman and incorporates music by Sammy Fain with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster. The 2014 version of the sharp-shooting musical will feature a cast of actor-musicians, boasting musical arrangements and supervision by Catherine Jayes.

In a BBC radio 2 interview with presenter Graham Norton, leading star Jodie Prenger stated how “excited” she was to be “digging out her leather chaps”, assuring audiences that “theactor-muso is of the era - playing the piano in the bar to such beautiful music.” As a non-instrument player, Jodie joked “I’m on the tambourine and triangle. That’s my limitations!”

It’s safe to say ‘The Black Hills’ of Edinburgh are delighted to welcome the rootin’ tootin’ heroine back to the capital!

Calamity Jane is at the Edinburgh Playhouse from 23rd - 27th September 2014. For tickets and information visit www.atgtickets.com/Edinburgh