Guys & Dolls

So much to be proud of, for the Players 50th anniversary show, we had a mixture of ‘old and new’! So good to see some of the Players long serving member’s showing their experience on stage for this popular musical. I particularly pick out; the Monuments, Wendy and Derek so obviously enjoying their cameo roles and of course Andy Liddon reprising his role (almost twenty years on) as Arvide Abernathy,  the benign elder Salvationist complete with bass drum and the wisdom of life’s experience. Another ‘old timer’ Peter Simmon with a real show stealing performance as Big Jule and that apocryphal line, “I’m here to play crap”…his deep resonant voice standing out from the crowd of Gangsters who were each and everyone giving an individual take on their character: Especially in the ‘Luck Be a Lady’ number, a real show stopper! Also in  ‘Sit Down You’re Rockin The Boat’, well led by the hard working Nicely Nicely Johnson (Jimmy Atkin) and creatively choreographed, interestingly different! He worked well with Benny Southstreet (David Evans) who once again showed his versatility both acting and vocally. Other Gangsters are available, and all were magnificent ( Ben Norman, Simon Warren, Craig Lovett, Campbell Trotter, Max Wade and the very, almost menacing,  Martyn Field as Harry The Horse. There were of course many others with Players longevity… Marilyn Durrant , Michelle and Gerald Wilson, the latter a frustrated Lt Brannigan…  But none less than the ever present Stephen Wilson with his own individual style showing the comedic potential of the role of Nathan Detroit, his was certainly different, and gave a more light hearted perspective as he wriggled and squirmed his way out of the promise to marry his long suffering girlfriend Adelaide (Harriet Chambers) who was more than a match for his wiley, and increasingly unlikely, excuses to continue his crap shooting and other gambling exploits! She was a real treat to watch and her plaintiff rendition of ‘Adelaide’s Lament’ (the cold song, sniffs and all!) was a real comedy moment to savour (atchoo…!!).  Lucy Napthine, as Salvationist General Cartwright, made the most of her  cameo.

Now we really need a leading pair of actors to deliver the other romantic ‘will they won’t they’ scenario and this was well handled by Craig Loxton as Sky Masterson who really captured the essence of the turf leader and major irritant to Nathan D… He looked every inch the archetypal turf boss and showed his vocal prowess in each of his numbers and duets with the really likeable Sarah Brown (Joanne Forster) who gave us the necessary anxiety and emotional conflict as her feelings for Sky interfered with her work as team leader of the local Salvation Army Mission. Their whirlwind ‘overnight’ trip to Havana was a  chance for the strong ensemble to enjoy themselves and the ‘Hot Box Girls’ were in their element as with the Hot Box Nightclub scene which opened Act 2… They certainly livened up the proceedings with some well choreographed routines and just a hint of ‘Burlesque’, well drilled and well received!! As with all Players shows it is this strength in depth which stands out and adds so much to the overall success of any show.

The technicals and set were as ever spectacular and atmospheric, and well supported by the eight piece band situated on scaffolding above the stage. Costumes were outstanding and in context for the era…This show should attract larger audiences for the second week of its run of nine shows… Tell your friends its one not to be missed and a fine way to celebrate the opening musical of The Players 50th year offering such fine entertainment to the people of Lowestoft and surrounding areas.

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