Who’d have thought Calamity Jane would hold up so well in 2017? The dated gender politics and awkward proto-feminist agenda of Sammy Fain and Paul Webster’s 1953 movie about real-life frontierswoman Martha Jane Canary could sink the show without trace in more enlightened times. But thanks to a stellar turn from Virginia Gay in the title role, a brilliant no-weak-links supporting cast and inspired, side-splitting direction from Richard Carroll, this tiny jewel of a production hits every note square between the eyes and comes with enough energy and heart to drive the Pony Express all the way ‘cross Injun territory and back again.

Viginia Gay and Tony Taylor in Calamity Jane. Photos © John Mccrae

Written as a filmic vehicle for Doris Day – the stage musical followed in 1961 – the show follows the fortunes of Calamity, a hard talkin’, sharp shootin’ larrikin from South Dakota whose exploits ‘whip-crack-awaying’ the Deadwood Stage have a habit of being blown up out of all proportions. Dressing like a man, ‘Calam’ spars with local gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok, while secretly longing for the arms of a handsome cavalry lieutenant. When wannabe...