Guys and Dolls

Sodbury Players youth section

Guys and Dolls              The Town Hall, Chipping Sodbury             July 17th 2019

Director: Ross Brown        Choreographer: Lucy Cragg        MD: Kayleigh Rose

This musical fable of Broadway, based on stories and characters created by Damon Runyon, was a hit with audiences in Chipping Sodbury.  The audience was welcomed by Front of House staff in costume, and the mission band marching through the foyer, which helped set the atmosphere for the show.  The set had been well designed so that we were transported effortlessly to each location.  There were several well-used front of tabs scenes, with the office of the Save-a-Soul Mission permanently set on a stage right apron and Miss Adelaide’s dressing room on the left.  The lighting design was well thought out and operated giving good effects of outside and inside, helping to create the atmosphere for Havana and the sewers.  Sound effects were also well cued, with good ‘sewer’ effects and some nice announcements.  The wardrobe team had costumed the show well and mostly hairstyles and make up were in keeping.

Lucy Cragg had produced some excellent choreography for the show with everyone moving confidently.  There are so many styles of dance to cover, which were all delivered confidently, with the dancing in ‘Luck Be A Lady’ and ‘The Crapshooters Dance’ well executed.

Musical Director had had problems with the band and so part of the accompaniment was live and part backing track.  It all dovetailed seamlessly, and did not cause the performers any problems.  The sound balance between music and voices was good, the voices never overpowered.  The songs had been well taught with excellent diction and a great deal of sincerity, with good harmonies in the ensemble numbers.  ‘Fugue for Tinhorns’ is difficult to hold together but Benny, Nicely-Nicely and Harry the Horse made it seem simple.  Benny and Nicely again pulled out all the stops for ‘Guys and Dolls’.  ‘Take Back Your Mink’ made a good introduction to Act 2 – no inhibited teenagers here!  The highlight of Act 2 is usually ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat’ and this version was no exception to that, well-sung and co-ordinated with lots of energy.

The show had been well cast with some mature performances from youngsters of all ages, with everyone maintaining good clear accents throughout.  The main characters were all well portrayed and believable, with all the dancers and ensemble being very focused and supporting the action throughout.  It is described as ‘a fable of Broadway’ and so all the characters need to be a little larger than life for the show to work properly and Director Ross Brown and his team had certainly achieved this.

There were some lovely touches such as the opening announcement by Lt. Brannigan, the flight to and from Havana with the flight announcements, and the large dice in the sewer.  Team leaders Ross Brown, Lucy Cragg, Kayleigh Rose and David Lord had put in many hours of hard work and helped the young people to create a show, which was confident, pacey, full of energy and enthusiasm, and would put many an adult production to shame.  Congratulations everyone.

 

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