Guys and Dolls

The Cotswold Players

Guys and Dolls                                                                                                                    

As seen by: Frankie Telford on June 14th, 2018

Director: Anne MacCallum                                                               

Musical Director: Graham Gill

Choreographer: Terry Clifford

Assisted by: Laura Lynham

Cotswold Playhouse, Stroud

This ‘Musical Fable of Broadway’, based on the short stories of Damon Runyon written in the 1920’s and 30’s, is about characters of the New York underworld of the time.  After the overture the show starts with ‘Runyonland’, which depicts the activities of the people who pass through the Times Square area of New York, such as tourists, pick pockets, people exercising, Femmes Fatales, gamblers and Salvationists, all of which gives a flavour of what is to follow.

The production had been well-staged making excellent use of the facilities available in this small Theatre.  The stage was empty except for white flats some of which were moveable and had practical scenery such as telephone booths attached.  The changes of location were achieved by bringing on smaller pieces of scenery and furniture and by wonderful projections. The many images had been extremely well sourced and the projections well operated.  The ‘flight to Havana’ was very clever and enjoyed by the audience.  The descent into the sewer was amazing and deservedly gained a round of applause.  There were some good lighting effects for the various scenes from the bright outside to gloomy sewers.  The sound effects had been well sourced and well cued.  The sound balance was mostly good although I did find the keyboard was rather overpowering at times, but I expect that was for the cast to hear the music.  The costume, hair and makeup teams had worked well to help create the era in which it was set.

Musical director Graham Gill was in control of his musicians and singers, with the songs having been well taught with clear diction. All the songs were well sung with some sensitive duets.  Choreographer Terry Clifford had devised routines, which suited the style of show and ability of the company; they were all performed confidently, although I would have liked a little more energy in Havana.  I particularly liked ‘Take Back Your Mink’, the Crap game and ‘Luck Be A Lady’.

This show is male heavy and as with other societies there had been difficulty finding the required number of men, but the ladies who stepped in did a good job.  I liked the way that the Femmes Fatales had been included in the ‘one dozen genuine sinners’. Annie MacCallum, in her directing debut for The Cotswold Players, had directed the show well, bringing some interesting ideas to the production.  The cast had embraced their roles, with everyone performing confidently and working well together.

The whole team had contributed to giving the audience a show full of ‘the feel-good factor’.  Well done everyone.

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