Oh, the Deadwood stage is a-rollin on over the plain, yee hah! And even an old grump like me, who would normally run a mile at the mere mention of a musical, was won over by the boundless energy and sheer class exuded by this scintillating adaptation.

The accents are deep Dakota and you can practically see the spit hit the sawdust in the rollicking story of ‘Calam’ and the good folk of Deadwood. The main draw, so to speak and if there is one, is Jodie Prenger in the starring role.

I’d vaguely heard of her – she won one of those endless TV singing competitions to become Nancy in Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver – and she does have a fabulous voice.

However, her speaking voice is Dolly Parton on speed, which can make her hard to understand.

And what’s with the diva makeup? Everyone else has a lovely scrubbed and wholesome look about them, so Calam’s bright red lipstick and heavy eye makeup looked most odd.

The show bursts with vim and vitality, with cracking performances from all 13 (yes that's right, just 13) cast members.

Stand-outs for me were Rob Delaney as Francis Fryer, giving a wonderful turn as a bawdy actress and playing the piano like a dream, and Tom Lister (in only his second musical – hard to believe) who has a gorgeous voice and gives Wild Bill Hickok real heart.

Phoebe Street’s Katie Brown also deserves applause, as the singer who comes to Deadwood under false pretenses and, of course, falls in love there.

I defy anyone, including fellow grumps, not to hum as they’re leaving, or to clap along to the last tremendous hurrah of fiddling and reckless dancing at the end.

Great stuff.