Guys and Dolls

From the moment the first person appeared on stage it was obvious that we were in for a good night’s entertainment. The pace and attention to detail in the opening number set the tone for the whole evening.

There are occasions when the production of a classic takes the musical to a new level. This was one of those occasions. Every single cast member played their defined role throughout and the on-stage business was inventive and innovative with some very clever touches. Congratulations to the production team for this. I must also mention the excellent orchestra which was well disciplined under Mark Timms direction and full of brass and woodwind but I heard every word from the stage.

Fugue for Tinhorns by Oliver Rowe (Nicely Nicely Johnson), Patrick Jervis (Benny Southstreet) and Martin Rainsford (Rusty Charlie)  was delivered with such ease and presentation. The romantic pairing of the feisty Sarah Brown (Charlotte Middleton) with Pete Beck (Sky Masterson) worked a treat and their solo and duet singing was a delight. The casting of Vickie Beck (Miss Adelaide) and James Pugh (Nathan Detroit) was inspired as their timing of the dialogue was so natural. In addition it carried through to the delivery of their songs. I must also compliment David Madeley (Arvide Abernathy) on such a splendid delivery of the song ‘More I cannot Wish You’.

I could go through the cast list and mention every person individually but this review would be several pages in length. Suffice it to say the characters were spot on so well done. There was tremendous energy and attention to detail in The Salvation Army Group, Hot Box Dancers, and Ensemble and collectively in the company numbers. The choreography was slick and well executed and the whole event was supported by good costumes, sound and lighting. Congratulations to everyone involved!  

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.