Guys and Dolls

Based on Damon Runyon’s short story “The idyll of Miss Sarah Brown” and the award winning 1950’s film, Guys and Dolls centres around Nathan Detroit, who organizes crap games in New York. He bets Sky Masterson that he can’t make the first girl he sees fall in love with him. This happens to be Sarah Brown of the Save a Soul Mission. Nathan’s long-term fiancée, Miss Adelaide is the main attraction at the Hot Box nightclub. Her only ambition is to get married. Gamblers and do-gooders get thrown together and in the end, have life-changing consequences.

The curtains opened on quite a stark setting with what looked like scaffolding forming two side staircases and a bridge with a back projection, depicting the changes of scene and venue. This worked well, together with a good lighting plot and on-stage furniture. We proceeded to see a sharp production from Directors Marilyn Gebbett and Elizabeth O’Donnell (who also played General Matilda Cartwright) with well cast principals and a good supporting ensemble.

Sarah Brown was played well by Rosanna Dowlen, teamed with a convincingly romantic Sky Masterson played by Gari Glaysher, great voice as well. Playing Sarah’s grandfather, Arvide Abernathy, was John Coleman who gave a polished performance and sang his song ‘More I Cannot Wish’ with great sincerity. Alexandria Wharram as Miss Adelaide gave an outstanding performance as did Bob Wilson as Nathan Detroit, both had a great feel for the humour of their roles. Convincing gangster friends were perfect foils for James Mullen, who gave a notable performance as Nicely-Nicely Johnson, he lived that role! The gangsters’ two major numbers ‘Luck Be a Lady Tonight’ and ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat‘ were excellent. Not to be outdone, the Hot Box girls shone in the lively numbers ‘A Bushel and a Peck’ and ‘Take Back Your Mink’, choreographed by Carrie-Louise Knight. Added to this we had the enthusiastic input from the members of the Mission Band.

Colourful costumes, especially in the Havana scene and lively choreography together with the orchestra, under the direction of Hannah Ockendon-Rowe, added to a well balanced production so we were able to enjoy all the wit in this classic musical.

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