Guys and Dolls

The newly formed Dearne Playhouse Musical Theatre Company took to the stage as the first group for ten years to bring a full-scale musical to the beautifully refurbished theatre.  It was great to see such a well-known story brought to the stage.  However, several people chatting in the interval admitted not knowing the premise.  So, in brief, the plot revolves around gamblers living on Broadway, Nathan Detroit and Sky Masterson.   Much to the angst of his long-standing fiancé Adelaide, Nathan is running a floating crap game, but fast running out of cash.  He thinks he has found a safe bet when he gambles that Sky can’t take uptight missionary worker Sarah Brown to Havana on a date.   Chaos ensues when it looks like Nathan is going to lose his bet after all.  Guys and Dolls revels in not being realistic, but in still bringing key themes to the fore – including love, gambling, opportunities for redemption, with the tension between good and evil thrown in.  It contrasts the world of gambling and guns with the values of a missionary.   

What Guys and Dolls also offers is the opportunity for loads of fun and Director Matthew Roddis found that by the bucketload.  The different entrances of the theatre space (which is a traditional pros arch) were repeatedly used by the cast to bring the action to the audience.  The lighting effects when the Crapshooters are running from the law created some beautiful silhouettes against the colourful staging.  One (very short) instance of adult nudity brought a fit of laughter for the audience and other funny moments were emphasised.  Opportunities were also taken to gently nudge towards LGBTQ+ themes with Nicely- Nicely having a slight crush on Sky, but this was not overplayed and just subtly hinted at.

There were some great performances from the gamblers with David Warren as Benny South-Street, Marcus Kamsika as Rusty Charlie, Joshua Steer as Harry the Horse and Tom Garnett as Joey Biltmore.  Dominic Jones was a controlling Big Julie and Harry Lynch-Bowers was strong as Nicely-Nicely Johnson leading a great rendition of ‘Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat’.  A sweet performance of ‘More I Cannot Wish You’ by Frank Hoyland as Arvide Abernathy showing real tenderness to Sarah Brown as she struggles with her new found love interest.  A very enthusiastic General Cartwright was created by Emma Spencer and Stuart Ogden as poor harassed Lt. Brannigan did well to keep up with the gamblers as well as multi-rolling.

Ashley Booker was a fabulous Nathan Detroit commanding the stage even though Detroit struggles to command the action.   His confident delivery and characterisation were great for the role along with his ability to capture the exasperation of the character as he repeatedly fails to carry out his plans.  A great performance from Ricky Allen as Sky Masterson.  He found the schmoozer within this leading man, but also created a great character arc as transitioned ‘towards the light’ when he falls in love with Sarah.  ‘I’ve Never Been in Love Before’ was a lovely duet between the Lockwood and Allen.

With two standout performances from the shows leading ladies it was easy to see the focus on the women's agency and empowerment within the story line.  Ruth Lockwood as Sarah Brown and Sophie Roddis as Miss Adelaide were both wonderful.  Lockwood played the pent-up Missionary Sergeant with beautiful sensitivity and amazing vocals, but also found the fun side of Sarah in the trip to Havana.  Her great voice really came through in ‘If I Were a Bell’.  Roddis was captivating as the Hot Box singer desperate to marry her long-standing fiancé.  Every line she delivered was in character, every song and dance spot on and she looked wonderful throughout.  Her capacity for facial expressions is on par with the great Lucille Ball – just fabulous.  This young actor threw herself into the role with no fear.  The physicality in her number with Booker ‘Sue Me’ was a real highlight of the show.

Choreography was great and demanded a lot of the cast.  It was good to see so many men on stage prepared to dance, particularly in a new company.  The Crapshooter’s Dance and Luck Be a Lady were definite highlights, along with anything involving the Hot Box Girls.

The musical score is wonderful and it was fabulous to hear it played by a sixteen piece orchestra who along with the Mission Band (both onstage and off) were hugely impressive.  Sincere congratulations to MD, Pete Lack, for bringing it all together.

The scenery and costumes were all professionally bought in, and the set was very well managed.  Wigs looked great and were in keeping with the period.  Large wooden dice added to the set, and these were cleverly used and moved by the cast to provide variance in height and also onstage seating when needed.

A great show and a fun evening’s entertainment – Congratulations to everyone involved.       

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