Guys and Dolls

This was a bright and lively show from start to finish with its many tuneful melodies played in front of what seemed to me a very full and appreciative audience.  The Society brought the Damon Runyan story of New York’s gambling fraternity to life, providing a lot of laughter and good humour as well as some accomplished singing.

There was a strong set of principals headed by David Cooper, as Nathan Detroit, portraying the gambler always losing,  with Mel Armstrong as Miss Adelaide, his long suffering fiancé.  Both characters were more than capable of handling the comedy and sang very well, while Mel shone in the “Hot Box” number. Mention must be made of Shanaugh Kelly, as Sarah Brown, the “Mission Doll”.  She gave a very distinguished performance, being very impressive in the Havana scenes. I particularly liked her singing of “If I Were a Bell”.  Stuart Stocks was the debonair high roller Sky Masterson, and impressed me very much.  I am sure he will be in future Society shows.

Bob Douglas (Benny Southstreet), Stuart Laws (Harry the Horse) with Michael Douglas (Nicely Nicely Johnson) sang well together in the “Fugue For Tinhorns”. I also think that the Hot Box Girls did very well with a “Bushel and a Peck” and “Take Back Your Mink”.  The show-stopper was, of course, Nicely’s rendition of “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat”, with all the cast enjoying themselves.

I must mention the back-stage members. The Phoenix stage is restricted in size, so Wendy Robson, for her first show with the orchestra, was upstairs linked with a tele-link.  It worked well.  The stage team under Chris Langlands worked quietly and efficiently positioning trucks and props where needed.  Costumes by the Society and Alan Graham were all appropriate.

Congratulations to Jackie Grey on a superb show.

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