Guys and Dolls

It is fair to say that HC Vocal and Performance Academy are always brave in their show choices and Guys and Dolls was no exception for the older section of the Academy to take on. Originally set to be performed at the back end of 2025 the show was postponed due to an issue with their musical director. With the complexity of the production and some very tricky music numbers it was certainly the right choice not to try and rush it.

The patience and extra rehearsal time certainly paid off as the group delivered an incredibly detailed and fast paced example of immersive theatre. “Immersive” is a title often used these days and can often involve just a meet and greet by the cast or minor audience interaction. What Holly Clifford and her huge team of helpers managed to pull off was incredibly impressive. From the first entrance and getting hustled in a game of Craps to the overall setting of the main hall in Hummersknott Academy, everything was so well thought through. Bright neon signs, pop-up bars and large street lights were just a number of the large stage props dotted around the building transforming the School hall into 1950’s New York. 

Set in the round, the action was frantic with multiple entrances and scenes taking action off the main stage. In fact my neck was a bit sore trying to take in everything but it certainly brought the show to life. Being so close to the audience is daunting enough but the amount of interaction with them is another thing. The cast were all fabulous in this and it’s probably the only show where I have looked after handbags (and then get accused of stealing them), had fur coats thrown at me, lost bets and been dragged up on stage to join in a freestyle dance.

Guys and Dolls is rarely performed by Adult groups (in fact it hasn’t been done in Noda North for over 2 years) these days and with the amount of huge musical dance numbers it’s not surprising that when done large cuts are normally made. Instead of cutting corners though, HC embraced these and they became a main focus of the whole production.

The opening number Runyonland set the tone of these massive numbers, the whole cast fully involved with lifts, splits, twists and turns everywhere you looked. The connection with the music was tight and the energy levels were insane. It was lovely that all of the choreography was well themed to the numbers with Havana an amazing Caribbean Fiesta, the girls in Bushel and A Peck really whipping up the crowd with their edgy nightclub styled movements and Luck Be A Lady full of sharp and intense choreo to match the intensity of the gambling scene.

The rehearsal time that must have gone into putting these numbers together is frightening with lots of risks taken but they all pulled off. For me Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat was one of the numbers of the show. I am a huge fan of “chair”eography and without an inch to spare the cast delivered a clean and crisp routine. Rotating the chairs and positions to ensure that every section of the audience got the same exposure. Lacey Simpson worked the stage brilliantly leading the number with gorgeous vocals and amazing characterisation of Nicely Nicely Johnson. With so much action going on around the stage it is impossible to single any one dancer out from the group although I will give a mention to Holly Neale, the smallest and youngest member of the cast who leaped around and was lifted and thrown about the stage at numerous points.

Alongside a huge ensemble the amount of characters in this Musical give all of the students a great chance to shine and if the other two casts were as good as the one I saw on the Saturday Evening then each audience was in for a treat. With multiple ensemble roles to play including Dancing girls, gangsters and Missionaries to name just a few the costuming was fabulous giving the members great foundations to build their characters on. I particularly loved the variety of suits, yes Lacey I want yours in my collection, the blue and white gingham dresses and the detail of the Salvation Army members maroon uniforms.

There are some great minor roles in this production and everyone really got into their characters. Seth Cohen as Rusty Charlie did a lovely job with some well delivered narrative and MC intros. Izzy Wake was fabulous as the underhand Harry the Horse with some excellent line delivery. Gabriella Boddy shone as the beaming Mimi and Summer Johnstone was commanding and authoritative as Lt Brannigan determined to be the Party Pooper of the ongoing antics.

The Save-a-Soul Mission girls had the most beautiful entrances with some lovely singers in their ensemble, in particular the stunning voices of Ellie Lofts and Chloe Hanks. Leading from the front on the Saturday performance was Leah Sorrie as Abernathy. Showing real compassion and empathy in the role, her delivery of the number More I Cannot Wish you was truly beautiful with a gorgeous tone and gentle vibrato all well controlled.

Two of the most involved characters in the show, and sidekicks of Nathan Detroit, are that of Nicely Nicely Johnson and Benny Southstreet. Played by Lacey Simpson and Lyla Appleby these two delivered a brilliant double-act bouncing off each other with crisp and well timed line delivery. The characterisations, comic timing and facial expressions from both were brilliant to watch.

Libby Forsyth did a great job as the baddy of the show, Big Jule. Her American twang and larger than life mannerisms really setting her up as the underhand gangster. Her clashes with Detroit showed lovely control and a good edge to her character.

I normally pick out a principal lead who has stood out for me in a show but the 4 main leads are almost impossible to separate. You can tell their close connection and friendships in how well they interacted with each other and the close chemistry and trust in each other’s roles.

Faith Small was perfectly cast as Sarah Brown, the leader of the Save A Soul Mission troop. A very talented actress who managed to show a real transformation in character from the straight laced Missionary right through to the feisty edge in the Havana fight scene. Her personal battles with falling in love with gambler Sky were convincing and honest. Her on stage scenes with Amber Evans as Sky were excellent with Amber strutting around the stage with a real physical dominance and cocky mannerism. Amber’s soft side was just as convincing as she falls in love with Sarah, their duet showing off some real vocal excellence.

Faith’s comedy side got a chance to shine, especially with the brilliant duet with Leanna as Adelaide in Marry The Man Today. Not only were the vocals punchy but the way they both threw Big Jule around the stage was hysterical with Libby’s facial expressions heightening the comedy level.

Leanna continues to shine in real character roles and as Adelaide we got to see another side to her. Having previously shone in roles like Donkey in Shrek this was a much more controlled comic offering. The timing of line delivery, especially in the married with 5 kids revelations, shows us how versatile an actor she is. Adelaide is an Onion character with many layers and Leanna really delivered with the sweet and slightly naive Fiancee desperate to be wed right through to the fiery and exciting Showgirl. She led the huge number Bushel and a Peck with right authority on a huge oversized dice platform in the stage centre and truly owned the number.

Nathan Detroit is not only the central character in the show but also links all scenes together. Chloe Craig really owned this role, the stage presence was excellent with the soft American accent working really well. The comedy created of a character more afraid of getting married than losing a huge bet was really well conveyed. The scenes with Leanna were excellent and the fear in Chloe’s eyes hysterical.

The whole cast had worked really well to stay in character and hold their American accents throughout yet if I had to be hyper-critical I would say be careful of diction when using an accent, some lines were lost at times.

Overall not only was this a showcase of dance, music and characterisation but also a huge visual display with so much work behind the scenes on lighting, props and costumes. Everything worked really well including scene changes that flowed without interrupting the pace of the performance. I must give a special mention to Lilly Mackenzie who alongside 2 parents, Michael and Matthew, ran themselves ragged with scene changes. Lilly also works tirelessly behind the scenes with set design and painting, great to see young members also involved in the technical side of a show.

Without any cuts Guys and Dolls is a long show yet it almost went unnoticed as the action packed nature of the production alongside a cast full of enthusiasm and energy kept the pace up from start to finish. This was possibly the best production I have seen from HC Vocal and Performance Academy. Huge well done to Director Holly Clifford for being brave to try something new as it really worked and I look forward to joining you and Mr Wonka later this Spring.

 

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