Guys & Dolls

A good company show which Witham Amateur Operatic Society performed well.
Great casting with the characters in this production, which added to the overall enjoyment. The sets and backcloths were particularly good and effective. Several quick set changes from one scene to the next were done quickly with good cover music throughout.
Fugue for Tinhorns is a great opening number providing the harmonies are tight and they were with Nicely Nicely played by a very rotund Stewart Adkins,Benny Southstreet played by Tim Clarke and Rusty Charlie played by Tom Whelan.
The Mission band in Follow the Fold etc introduced us to Sarah Brown played by Corrina Wilson as the “Mission Doll ”.Corrina had a very powerful voice with a super upper range.
The band wore smart uniforms which fitted well-I mention this as I have seen a variety of uniforms in other productions where they looked untidy and it spoilt the image.
Sarah was without her bonnet however in the opening number, but it was rectified quite quickly for her next entry on to the stage.
Vocally the balance between Sarah Brown and Sky Masterson played by Gareth Gwyn-Jones was good and the duets were well sung.
All the main male characters gave very individual styling which was interesting and also some new interpretations came through.
Deborah Anderson as Adelaide was excellent with a great feel for her dialogue.” Adelaide’s Lament” was spot on and very funny.
Partnered by Michael Mundell-Poole as Nathan Detroit it was great to see the rapport between them. Michael got right behind the character of Nathan and it was most enjoyable.
Nicholas Clough as Arvide Anderson the Salvation Army gentleman sung “More I cannot wish You” in a gentle relaxed style, a quiet tuneful song very well sung.
The descent into the sewer for the crap game was well placed and the feel of the set excellent complete with some eerie sound of the pipes and water etc in the sewer most effective. Luck be a Lady was a good number sung by Gareth and the gentlemen of the chorus, maybe the top tenors could have been a little louder to balance with the other parts. I liked the Crapshooters Dance and the effect of white here and there in the clothing on a dark stage. Perhaps white gloves would have added another dimension to the number?
A very polished chorus with tuneful singing and lots of fun in El Café’Cubano and The Hot Box Nightclub.
The smaller parts and cameo roles were all very supportive in this production (too many to mention all by name) but very important.
A tuneful band with Geoff Osborne who really balanced with the singers.
A mention must be made of Jeff Babbs’ playing of the Drunk. Cleverly played which caused the audience much amusement.
Well done to Jacqui for her imaginative production and also LIndsay Bonsor for some most delightful choreography.

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