GUYS AND DOLLS

This is one of the best of the American musicals and ever popular, it is performed by many professional and amateur companies. The whole company lit up the stage with their fantastic production of Guys and Dolls, bringing New York to Monmouth.
Monmouth Music Theatre has triumphed through their difficulties, as despite the illness and stepping down  of the well loved stalwart and respected member Graham Bryant who was their Director for this show with his wife Jane, everyone pulled together to make a success. Kate Russell must be credited for stepping in at the last minute as Director, and saved the day very well done!
An interesting well staged opening with many characters took us into the New York scene with high impact, setting the show on track from the first minutes with Fugue For Tin Horns.
Our introduction to the mission band with Sergeant Sarah Brown a fine performance with attitude from Louise Petrie whose golden voice raised the roof of the Savoy Theatre and good chemistry with high roller Sky Masterson always ready for action, played very well by Johnney Goddard totally in character. Johnney and the gangsters also gave an energised  sewer scene with Luck Be A Lady Tonight and of course the famous Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat number with Nicely Nicely Johnson and his twelve genuine sinners a truly fantastic scene, Andrew Griffiths made an excellent Harry the Horse
Nothing like a romance to warm our hearts and reluctant Nathan Detroit , Gareth Wigg lived the man and his Fiancee Adelaide a superb performance from Lizzie Nicholson in all their scenes, a natural rapport, they were made for them!  A showstopper Hot Box Scene!
The Mission band gave some nice cameos, the rich voice of Chris Godwin, Arvide Abernathy More I Cannot Wish You was well supported by Kate Russell as General Cartwright.
Lt Brannigan Tony Wells was reminiscent of Columbo with his spot on timing
Expert MD Ian Russell always sympathetic to the score and performers and his orchestra excelled.
Helen Stidolph was a fine Accompanist.
Superb costumes technical and backstage
Monmouth can be proud of their accolades for this very successful production.

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