Guys and Dolls

Guys and Dolls has been staple fare for amateur companies over the years, perhaps less so recently which is a pity as the show still has a lot to offer. It is an incongruous story of the love between a gambler and a woman evangelist and the ramifications in low-life Manhattan. It is born of the stories of Damon Runyon with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser (If I were a bell, Luck be a lady tonight, sit down you’re rocking the boat). The director Ann Ranson plays it straight with a full-on production of this vibrant and characterful tale. There is a satisfying blend of performances (solo and ensemble), staging and accompaniment. The chorus of gangsters is especially entertaining and principals Nick Thompson (Nicely-Nicely Johnson), Ken Richardson (Benny Southstreet), Lisa Givens (Sarah Brown), David Bruce (Nathan Detroit), Katy McMillan (Miss Adelaide) and Ian Nugent (Sky Masterton) all deserve a mention. The orchestra punched above its weight as did the company as a whole. This is a successful rendering of a justified old favourite with a simple yet atmospheric setting and an enthusiastic interpretation. This excellent company brought a little of New York (and Cuba) to Walkerville in spite of having to share the premises with a polling station. They certainly won my vote.

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