Guys & Dolls

I was again delighted to take the trip up to Ferryhill Stage Society to see their most recent production of “Guys and Dolls”.  There was a different feel to the place when I got there with seating being laid out cabaret style with lovely little candles in place on the table giving an intimate feel.  I loved the neon “Guys & Dolls” signage in place made by Malcolm Stamp, really gave the production a modern feel.

It’s a funny show in my opinion and somewhat a brave choice for any group.  Some of the “older” shows haven’t necessarily translated well through to modern day and I can’t help but feel Guys & Dolls is one of those.  However new director Josh Railton has done a sterling job with his first musical piece, with modern quirks added to a classic piece, clear direction and a real skill in bringing out the best in the cast, assisted by Kayomi Koya.  Well done Josh, you have done an incredible job and it was very much visible to all.

We started with three hats spotlit on a fixed set stage with the neon signage, a really nice feel.  The vocals were sung along to tracks, which many groups are choosing to take advantage of, and there was no detriment on the vocal prowess which Musical Director Faye Rogerson had clearly worked very hard on.  Vocal harmonies came through clearly and succinctly very well indeed.  Both “Fugue for Tinhorns” and “Follow the Fold” were sung very well by their respective performers.  Ian Patterson as Nathan Detroit performed consistently strongly with accent and performance absolutely tip top, and Vicky Tweddle as Sarah Brown was lovely and clear.  The costuming was excellent, well done to Jade  Carney and Faye Rodgerson.  “The Oldest Established” was very well performed indeed by Ian Patterson, Steven Berry as Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Paul Rodgerson as Benny Southstreet and the male ensemble, very strong vocal performances, well done.  The choreography was modern and appropriate, very well-rehearsed and performed strongly throughout, well done Jade.  Your hard work clearly showed.

Guy Lawes as Sky Masterson had very clear diction and performed strongly throughout, his on stage chemistry with Vicky was excellent, really drew us in as an audience and we believed their love story.  Well performed both of you!   Guy’s delivery was somewhat softer than the usual cocky arrogance you see from Sky, I really enjoyed it.  Kudos to Josh and Kayomi for drawing out the characters in a manner not necessarily as stereotypically seen, it really made a difference and was noticeable.

I loved watching Danielle Beck as Miss Adelaide, she had a beautiful voice, was clear in her delivery, utterly gorgeous on stage and didn’t necessarily take the character down the “squeaky” route you see so often, she was fab in her portrayal well done Danielle. The storytelling she performed was excellent and I very much enjoyed it.  “Adelaide’s Lament” was excellent, great growl and that belt! The reprise was just as wonderful and really believable.  Fabulous performance.

Elise McGowan made a lovely Arvida Abernathy, as did Ella Connolly as a gender switched Lieutenant Brannigan.  The male ensemble were very well supported by Steve Hill as Harry the Horse, David Stothard as Angie the Ox and Alan Gray as Big Al.  I especially did love the irony of Sarah Ward playing Big Jule given she was easily a foot shorter than the others; she played her part so well the part was very well cast there, her acting made it.  Well done Sarah.  Supporting also was Eleanor White as a mission band member & others, plus Dawn Milner as General Cartwright.

“Sit Down Your Rocking the Boat” sung by Steven Berry and the company was very well delivered and well staged, as it can be a difficult one for timing.  Very fun number, I wrote down “hilarious” so clearly I was tickled!

I especially loved the addition of Kayomi as a compare for the finale, really nice tough and finished the performance off very well.  The vocals and lighting were excellent.  Really unusual, I loved it!

The stage was presented with a fixed set, which interchanged well with two satellite stages for Nathans paper stall and the park bench where numbers such as “My Time of Day” and “More I cannot wish you” which was lovely and gave it a lovely intimate feel for the more tender moments.

The lighting design was very good and I’m told there were technical difficulties the night before the performance I saw, well that had certainly been ironed out and I really liked it all.  The neon signage definitely gave a more modern feel and the use of special areas of light for the various performances was carefully thought out.

Hot Box Girls Sadie Morley, Amanda Hunter, Jade Carney and Wendy Hindmarch were gorgeous and executed their choreography extremely well.  The iconic “Take back your Mink” was just that, fabulous ladies!

Well done to Charley Stamp also for a superb programme, really modern, funky and interesting to read.  Lovely change.

All in all a real step up for Ferryhill.  It was a slick, modern production and it’s just such a shame the older shows being revived with a modern feel and a new artistic air aren’t being supported as well in audience numbers.  Support your local theatre!

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