CALAMITY JANE Opens at Watermill Theatre Prior to National Tour, July 17

The Watermill Theatre Newbury, Jamie Wilson, Paul Elliott and Duncan C Weldon are delighted to announce a new production of the musical "CALAMITY JANE", opening at The Watermill Theatre, Newbury on Thursday 17 July 2014 where it will play until Saturday 6 September 2014 prior to embarking on a national tour. Full tour schedule attached.

Following numerous highly acclaimed productions that include "Sweeney Todd" and "Sunset Boulevard", The Watermill Theatre, Newbury presents a new production of the classic musical "CALAMITY JANE". Featuring a cast of multi-talented actor/musicians to create an unforgettable experience, this brand new production gets to the heart and soul of the musical.

Jodie Prenger will star as 'Calamity Jane'. Jodie is probably best known for winning the role of 'Nancy' in Cameron Mackintosh's West End production of "Oliver!" through the BBC television series "I'd Do Anything". During her run in the show at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane she received both critical and public acclaim for her portrayal of the role. Since then she has starred in the National Theatre's hit production of "One Man, Two Guvnors" both in the West End and on tour and as 'Lady of the Lake' in "Spamalot". Jodie is also a regular presenter on BBC Radio 2.

Nikolai Foster will direct. His most recent theatre credits include the 20th Anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey's "Beautiful Thing" both in the West End and on tour, "Annie" at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and the national tour of "The Witches of Eastwick".

Musical arrangements and supervision will be by Catherine Jayes. As a composer, Catherine has composed the music for "The Duchess of Malfi", "Othello", "The Changeling", "Cymbeline" and "Troilus and Cressida", all for Cheek by Jowl where she is also an associate director. Her musical director credits include "Guys and Dolls" and "Sweet Charity" for Sheffield Crucible and "Gypsy", "Fiddler on the Roof" and "High Society" for the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Calamity Jane can outrun and outshoot any man in Deadwood. Hard, boastful and desperate to impress, she travels to Chicago to recruit a star, Adelaide Adams, for the Deadwood Stage. But things don't go too smoothly for Calamity, as everyone in town favours the new girl and she struggles to keep her jealousy and pride in check. It takes her long-standing enemy Wild Bill Hickok to make her see sense, and realise her Secret Love...

With an Oscar nominated score that includes The Black Hills of Dakota, The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), Just Blew in from the Windy City and the award-winning song Secret Love, don't miss this new production that blows into your city for one week only.

"CALAMITY JANE" is adapted for the stage by Charles K. Freeman and has music by Sammy Fain with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster.

17 July - 6 September - THE Watermill Theatre NEWBURY - On Sale 3 February

16 September - 20 September - PLYMOUTH THEATRE ROYAL - On Sale Soon

23 September - 27 September - EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE - On Sale Soon

30 September - 4 October - CHELTENHAM EVERYMAN - On Sale Soon

7 October - 11 October - NOTTINGHAM THEATRE ROYAL - On Sale Now

14 October - 18 October - CARDIFF NEW THEATRE - On Sale Soon

21 October 25 October - BRISTOL HIPPODROME - On Sale Soon

28 October - 1 November - TRURO, HALL FOR CORNWALL - On Sale Now

4 November - 8 November - WOKING NEW VICTORIA THEATRE - On Sale Soon

25 November - 29 November - MILTON KEYNES THEATRE - On Sale Soon

Further dates to be announced.