Guys & Dolls

Another good show from SAOS, with strong principals and good technical aspects.

The set worked well, with the sliding banners which created the scenes, and I loved the backcloth with the skyline that showed through the windows of the Mission.  I particularly liked the ambience of the Sewer scene, the smoke and the lighting made it appear very subterranean and weird, which created a good backdrop for the action.

I liked the use of the overture to set the scene – it created interest whilst we were enjoying the musicality of the orchestra.

Choreography for the Hot Box Girls was good.

The duet between Sarah and Adelaide was super, one of my favourite songs from the show, they did it so well, and really seemed to fire off each other to give the song new meaning.

Philip Joslin had got together a very good sounding orchestra, with some nice arrangements, the harmonies were well-rounded, and very tuneful.  Lots of attention to the detail in the music from the entire cast.

Linda Dyne had directed a stylish show, however I was a little disappointed that she hadn’t used many new or innovative ideas.  That said the cast performed well, and created some excellent relationships.

I must say that my favourite character was Emma Stratton’s Adelaide.  Such a wealth of talent and thought went into creating the best Adelaide I have seen to date.  She was saucy, sassy and depressed, but always there was this warmth and some subtle, but to me, excellent departures in interpretation, whilst always maintaining the musicality and depth to her portrayal, making this a performance to remember.

Almost her match was Iain Doughty as Nathan Detroit, her erstwhile fiancé – you could feel his affection for Adelaide, his excitement for the crap game and his reticence about getting married, all carried through with a suavity that suited the part.  Musically strong too.  This was an excellent pairing of strength and fine performance skills.

Following on was another nice pairing, significantly different, altogether softer and more romantic in feel, between Sarah and Sky.

Adele Pope was an utterly charming Sarah Brown, showing her sorrow at not being able to convert all those sinners, and her bewilderment at her feelings for Sky.  Beautifully sung, creating a completely rounded character.

Pete Town was a sophisticated and elegant Sky, which gave a lovely element to his relationship with Sarah, he showed the steel behind his character when with the Crap Shooters and created some lovely musical moments in some quite difficult music.

I very much liked Tony Bradburn’s portrayal of Arvide, a part he sang beautifully – and again the caring relationship between him and Sarah really showed.

John Hebden was a super Nicely-Nicely Johnson – he carries these character parts off so well, without overdoing it.  Supported well by Howard Salinger as Benny and Tom Handley as Rusty Charlie.  The Fugue for Tinhorns was very musically sound, so it came over well, and not ragged as it can be sometimes.

I liked Shaun Phillips as Big Jule – it gave a different edge to the part, with his ‘minder’ Harry the Horse, played well by Will Prescott.

I really liked the Hot Box Girls, particularly in the ‘Mink’ number, they looked elegant and charming.  They accomplished everything well, and looked as if they were enjoying themselves.

The Mission Band were good, particularly the lady with the tambourine!

Costumes were colourful - all were worn well and looked fresh.

So overall a good show, with excellent attention to musicality in accompaniment and harmonies, with good relationships, all of which made it a thoroughly enjoyable production.

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