Guys & Dolls

It was a real treat to watch a golden show of former years light up the stage once again with these dedicated performing guys and dolls. Set in New York, with the focus on gambling and saving sinners, the scene was ripe for intrigue and misunderstandings. From the difficult but well delivered ‘Fugue For Tinhorns’ to the harmonies of ‘The Oldest Established’ and the confidently sung ‘I’ll Know’ the bar was set for a cracking show. Mark Harvey gave us a suave, controlled and assured Sky Masterton with an equally smooth and controlled voice whose belief in himself was dented in meeting the girl in charge of the Save Our Soul Mission Sarah Brown who resisted his charm. The respect for being one of the most successful gamblers cut no ice here. Claire Coyne gave us a Sarah trying hard to fulfil her ideals of saving souls and who was dented in turn by her lack of success and resented Sky’s ease. Then trapped, when she was forced to go to Havana as part of ‘the deal,’ she discovered a new self only to have that dashed in the cold light of her return. The contrast between her singing the innocent ‘I’ll Know’ and the more abandoned ‘ If I Was a Bell’ was well delivered. Also about love but on a different course was the relationship of Nathan Detroit and the Hot Box singer Miss Adelaide which had been going for 14 years. As Nathan the wheeler dealer, Ian Davidson supplied the comedic aspect in his need to get a gambling venue and in palming off Adelaide at every turn. Meanwhile Tracy Allan presented as his loving but frustrated fiancee and infused her own humour in the wonderful ‘Adelaide’s Lament’ and in revealing her letters to her mother. Their duet ‘Sue Me’ showed both their talents. Showing how versatile a performer he is, Stewart Borthwick made a splendid Nicely-Nicely Johnson, his strong voice and presence making their mark especially in leading ‘Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat’, a real highlight. With John Coe as Benny, their singing was harmonised and powerful in all their numbers. All main characters were well supported;- as confidant and supporter of Sarah, Greer Robertson gave a sympathetic Grace Abernethy while her clear voice in ‘More I Cannot Wish You’ was a delight; Graeme Rodger as sardonic Lt. Brannigan; Dale Henry as the exacting General Cartwright; and Lewis Rosser as the bullying and sore loser Big Jule - as well as the other gamblers. The dutiful mission ladies, the Hotbox dancers and the guys all played their parts and the company numbers like ‘Luck Be A Lady’ and ‘Sit Down, You're Rocking The Boat’ were well sung and choreographed. The staging was carefully thought through and the musicians created some lovely sounds. The attention to detail in the costumes with era fitting suits and dresses were colourful, attractive and apt - I loved the men’s shoes. The backdrops worked well setting the scenes. This was a show with a really good feel factor giving pleasure and displaying talent and commitment from everyone on stage. Congratulations all round.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.