Guys and Dolls

Guys and Dolls’…. One of my all time favorite shows, it’s got the lot… brilliant music, excellent dialogue, well drawn characters, dance, comedy, pathos and a happy ending!  Next year, the Musical Guys and Dolls will be 70 years young… and as a dated classic it has stood the test of time by being a defined, period musical comedy.

WOD’s apparently had a tough time this year when their performance date was changed several times.  But as usual they responded with an audience pleasing production, full of good music with excellent voices and lively and colourful performances.

With an excellent set where the scenery moved in and out, across and back, combined with clear fast moving dialogue, the pace of the show was very good.  With a  lack of availability of male performers across all amateur theatre,  I am surprised that Guys and Dolls is still chosen to perform , but WODS proved how to do it well, with women in some of the gangster roles doing a very good job.

I noticed that the director (according to the programme) had decided to give a modern twist to the two leading lady characters whom he believed to be written as rather weak characters and to ‘reflect the empowerment of women in love’ ( whatever that means).

 Was I impressed by the subtle changes made…not a lot?  I was frustrated that some of the pithy scene ending dialogue had been left out as when delivered well; it offers good comedy and adds to audience understanding of the characters. For those in the audience who know the show and have seen it before, Miss Adelaide and Sarah Brown both changed from well remembered, easily identifiable characters into caricatures of the originals. But both talented ladies worked hard in their roles and Miss Adelaide found her comedy and got her man and Sarah Brown, with her delightful voice, overcame her prejudices and also got her man. Nathan Detroit stole the show with a fine performance, but Sky Masterson’s strong suave character was diminished by Sarah’s slightly aggressive stance. Both men delighted the audience with their excellent singing from the familiar score. The gangsters were very well led by talented Nicely Nicely Johnson and Benny Southstreet. This was a colourful and delightful musical romp though ‘Damon Runyon - land’, although the colour came from the cast and the costumes, not from the rather ‘unusual lighting plot.  The well managed orchestra was very tuneful and never overpowered the performers, well done.

‘Guys and Dolls’ was an entertaining production with everyone in the company enjoying themselves with huge energy and lots of talent!  The happy audience went home well pleased.

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