Guys & Dolls

Guys and Dolls is a lively musical set in 1930s New York City, following gamblers, performers, and unexpected romances. Nathan Detroit tries to keep his illegal dice game alive while avoiding marriage to his longtime fiancée Adelaide, while gambler Sky Masterson accepts a bet to win over missionary Sarah Brown. What begins as a wager soon turns into a story of love and personal change.

Upon arriving at the Wells Little Theatre, we were warmly welcomed by the ever-friendly Sally, whose hospitality immediately set the tone for the evening. She kindly provided us with a programme and offered refreshments before the show. The foyer had been beautifully transformed into a stylish 1930s inspired bar, complete with red carpet, a piano, and vintage bar paraphernalia, while the front of house staff added to the atmosphere dressed smartly in elegant waistcoats.

Every seat in the theatre was filled, creating a real sense of anticipation and excitement as the lights dimmed and the spectacular 13-piece live band began the overture, featuring music from the show.

Sky Masterson brought confidence and charisma to the role, delivering smooth movement, strong vocals, and a commanding stage presence. His beautiful duet with Sarah in ‘I’ll Know’ highlighted the convincing on-stage relationship between the characters, and he captured Sky’s charm with a polished and engaging portrayal.

Sarah Brown gave a heartfelt and sincere performance, balancing compassion with quiet determination. Her vocals were expressive and controlled throughout, and her strong characterisation captured both Sarah’s reserved nature and her more carefree side in the Havana scene, which brought playfulness and energy to the role.

Nathan Detroit was an entertaining and energetic presence on stage, with strong comic timing, confident vocals, and a fantastic New York accent. His expressive acting and animated mannerisms brought plenty of humour to the role, capturing Nathan’s cheeky personality and making him a thoroughly engaging character to watch.

Miss Adelaide gave a vibrant and captivating portrayal, with strong vocals, energetic movement, and excellent characterisation throughout. Her consistent New York accent added real personality to the role, and I absolutely loved her performance of ‘Adelaide’s Lament,’ which was full of emotion and expression.

Nicely-Nicely Johnson bought huge vitality to the production, combining excellent comic timing, great vocals, and a lively stage presence in every scene. His delivery was full of personality, and he kept the audience engaged throughout. ‘Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat’ was performed with energy and strong stage presence, making it one of the most enjoyable moments of the show.

Benny Southstreet complemented Nicely -Nicely brilliantly, creating a highly entertaining partnership with strong chemistry and comic timing throughout the show. He brought great character to the role through his animated facial expressions, expressive body language, and confident stage presence, making every scene lively and engaging.

Big Jule was a really enjoyable character to watch, brought to life with confident acting and strong characterisation throughout. The role was performed with real authority, creating a character that felt both intimidating and entertaining. I also thought casting a smaller female performer as Big Jule was a brilliant touch, adding originality and humour to the performance.

Rusty Charlie was portrayed as a slick and charismatic hustler, bringing plenty of personality to the role. His vocals in ‘Fugue for Tinhorns’ was particularly strong, with well-delivered singing and impressive harmonies. Lieutenant Brannigan gave an assured interpretation, bringing authority to each scene and creating a believable character through his delivery and mannerisms. General Cartwright made a strong impact with a firm and assured characterisation, delivering the role with clear authority and a committed stage presence in every appearance. Arvide was played with great sincerity and a calm, thoughtful nature that suited the role very well, with the gentle characterisation creating a believable and heartfelt portrayal.

The Hot Box dancers gave polished performances throughout, with well-executed choreography and effective stage presence adding greatly to the larger musical scenes. Their routines were performed with confidence, precision, and plenty of personality, helping to bring real excitement to the production. ‘Take Back Your Mink’ was especially well performed, with confident movement, clear synchronisation, and a strong sense of style that made the number particularly enjoyable to watch.

Every member of the supporting cast contributed positively to the production, showing strong teamwork and consistent characterisation throughout. The ensemble played an important role in keeping the musical engaging and well-paced, with each performer bringing energy and commitment to every scene. Their enthusiasm and attention to detail helped create a lively and polished presentation from start to finish.

The staging was used very effectively, with the scenery helping to establish the atmosphere and setting of each scene. I also liked the use of the auditorium for cast entrances and exits. Transitions were smooth and well organised, keeping the action clear throughout. The moment when the Salvation Army came into the audience to hand out flyers added to the immersive feel of the show and helped make the audience feel more involved in the action. Lighting was used brilliantly to reflect the mood and style of each number, while the sound was consistently well balanced, ensuring vocals, dialogue, and musical accompaniment could all be heard clearly throughout the performance.

Costumes and makeup were well chosen and suited the style and era of the show perfectly, helping each character feel distinct and authentic. I particularly liked Benny’s green checked suit and Big Jule’s sharp gangster-inspired suit, both of which suited the characters very well. The Hot Box Girls’ farm girl outfits in ‘A Bushel and a Peck’ were also a fun and memorable addition to the number.

Overall, some of my favourite moments came from the fantastic chemistry between Nathan and Adelaide, which brought so much character and enjoyment to their scenes together. Nicely-Nicely and Benny’s performance of ‘Guys and Dolls’ was another real highlight, delivered with huge energy and personality. ‘Luck Be a Lady’ was particularly impressive, with the lighting, choreography, and staging all working together brilliantly to create an exciting and visually striking scene in a truly enjoyable show.

Thank you so much for inviting me and for always looking after me and making me feel so welcome. I had a lovely evening and thoroughly enjoyed the show. I look forward to seeing your next production.

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