West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher is bringing a whip-cracking film icon to the Liverpool stage

In an award-winning stage career packed with incredible female roles, Carrie Hope Fletcher says there’s one who has it all … and she’s bringing her to Liverpool.

Carrie is taking the lead as the whip-cracking, gun-slinging heroine in a new production of Calamity Jane, based on the classic Doris Day film, which comes to the Empire from April 22.

She describes it as:

“the epitome of a feelgood show” and says there’s no-one who compares to Calamity.

“For me as a performer there aren’t really any roles out there quite like her because she is everything rolled into one. You usually either get to play the love interest with the romantic story or you play the character part, or you get to be the action hero, but Calamity Jane is all of those things. 

“She has the love story, she has the female friendship, and she’s this calamitous character who’s constantly getting herself into stupid situations and trouble because of her big mouth. 

“She has amazing songs like Windy City, The Deadwood Stage and I Can Do Without You, but also ballads like Secret Love. What other role gets to do all that in one part? I think that’s why people love her so much, because she’s not boxed into one pigeonhole.”

For Carrie, taking on the character made famous on the big screen by Doris Day 72 years ago has been a physical challenge but also an absolute joy.

“It’s the most energetic I think I’ve ever been on a stage but it’s so much fun and it’s one of those shows that’s got no filler – it’s all good songs, good action, good storyline. The emotions are pretty high all the way through, and it just moves along at a really great pace so once you’re on that train there’s no getting off, you just ride it right to the end!

“The thing with Calamity Jane is it’s so nostalgic for so many people. They were introduced to this film when they were kids by grandparents or parents and now they get to see it live on stage. I think that’s part of what’s so great about this show, that it’s taking the magic of the movie and putting it live on stage. 

“The response we’ve had so far across the country has been incredible, I’ve never been in a show quite like it: an old school Hollywood movie that has so many memories attached to it. 

“We get people coming to stage doors in tears and very emotional because it reminds them of their childhood or the people who introduced them to this film. 

“One of the most wonderful things we’ve had is whole families, several generations, who’ve all come to see the show together because it’s something they’ve shared for so long.”

Carrie’s previous roles have included Éponine and Fantine in Les Misérables, Veronica Sawyer in the original West End production of Heathers: The Musical, and originating the role of Cinderella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella.

When she found out in November 2023 that she was going to be playing Calamity Jane, the first thing she did was go back and watch Doris Day’s screen portrayal.

“I wanted to reacquaint myself with who Calamity is and who I wanted her to be. 

“In this production we also have the added magic of the band being on stage because it’s an actor musician show so it’s the cast who are playing the instruments. 

“I think it’s so wonderful that a part of musical theatre you never usually get to see because it’s hidden down in the pit under the stage is now there for audiences to see and as a performer you really get an extra energy from that.

“There was a moment where I was slightly terrified I was going to be made to play piano or guitar but then we collectively decided I had enough going on, although I do play the coconuts which I think is a very important part of the show!”

Calamity Jane is at the Liverpool Empire from Tuesday April 22 to Saturday April 26. 

Book tickets for Calamity Jane on the Liverpool Empire website.

Find more theatre events across Liverpool here.

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