Guys and Dolls

Guys and Dolls is a musical with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows and is based on two short stories by Damon Runyon. It tells the story of gambler Nathan Detroit and his fiancee of 14 years, the club singer Miss Adelaide, who waits impatiently to be married. Nathan is attempting to set up a crap game but unfortunately needs $1000 to secure a venue. The high rolling gambler Sky Masterson hits town and Nathan bets him $1000 dollars that he cannot take a doll of his choice out for dinner. Sky agrees, only to find that the doll in question is Sarah Brown, a sister at the local Salvation Army Mission. 

Cast members were splendidly involved in the Overture conveying small scenarios of people and actions as they went about their business in a very busy street scene. This quite ‘nicely’ led into the Fugue for Tinhorns wonderfully executed by Phil Stanley (Nicely, Nicely Johnson), Cameron Trail (Benny Southstreet) and Ollie Hand (Rusty Charlie). Grace Howitt was superb as Sarah Brown. She was self assured, dignified and forthright but became deliciously tipsy when singing ‘If I Were a Bell’ when taken to Havana. Grace has a lovely pure soprano voice and those high notes she reached were breathtaking. Martin Counter was extremely charismatic as Sky Masterson, definitely the man about town. He has a great tenor voice as was evident in the delightful duet ‘I’ll Know’ with Sarah and also in ‘Luck Be a Lady’. Steve Foster was outstanding as Nathan Detroit. His interpretation was just perfect. His mannerisms, his facial expressions, his excellent comic timing, his flashy persona, his interactions with fellow cast members made him every inch the ideal person for this role. For me, he was the epitome of what a ‘Nathan Detroit’ would be. Another fine performance came from Ellie Mallinson as Miss Adelaide. She was bright, bubbly, sassy and full of energy all displayed perfectly, especially in ‘Take Back Your Mink’. The duet ‘Sue Me’ with Nathan was just terrific and I loved ‘Marry the Man Today’ with Sarah. The part of Nicely Nicely Johnson was a gift for Phil Stanley. He was just brilliant and his singing of ‘Sit Down, You’re Rocking The Boat’ was top-notch in fact the whole of this number was splendid. A sympathetic, touching and sincere portrayal was delivered by Peter Gould as Arvide Abernathy and he so movingly sang ‘More I Cannot Wish For’. Great support came from Cameron Trail (Benny Southstreet), Ollie Hand (Rusty Charlie), Andy Hambleton (Big Jule) with his so powerfully deep-throated voice and menacing stature, Adam Woodyet (Harry the Horse) Alan Lowe (Lieutenant Brannigan) and Barbara Ashmore (General Cartwright). The ‘ensemble’ who were in fact all named characters and the Hot Box Girls in particular were all first-rate. It was great to see so many men on stage and they definitely excelled in all their big numbers. The costumes were all excellent and those vibrant, dazzling and flamboyant suits worn by the gamblers were just stunning. The choreography and singing of all the numbers was carried out with so much enthusiasm and sparkle and the sets, lighting and props together with a praiseworthy orchestra added to make this a most enjoyable show.   

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