Guys and Dolls

I was really looking forward to seeing Pleasure Folk’s production of one of my favorite musicals, the classic show “Guys and Dolls”, which is arguably considered to be one of the greatest Broadway musicals and has some iconic and difficult to sing musical theatre songs in its score, such as “Luck be a Lady” and “Sit Down Your Rocking the Boat” and I am glad to say I had a very enjoyable afternoon watching this show. With words and music written by Frank Loesser from the book by Jo Sterling and Abe Burrows, “Guys and Dolls” is set in New York and is based on two short stories by Damon Runyon, “The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown” and “Blood Pressure.” The show premiered on Broadway on 24th November 1950, where it ran for 1,200 performances and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. The musical has had several Broadway and London revivals, as well as being made into a film in 1955 starring Frank Sinatra as Nathan, Marlon Brando as Sky, Jean Simmons as Sarah and Vivian Blaine as Adelaide. The show and the film are set around the romances of two hugely different couples and their journey to be together.

 

Once again Director Gemma Briscoe with the help of the production team produced a very enjoyable show with some incredibly talented actors in the cast. They included Beth McClelland, who produced a nice enjoyable performance in the role of kind and trusting Sargent Sarah Brown of the Salvation Army, who was a little naïve, but she is also a determined character, and is not willing to give up on sinners easily, with the result that she falls in love with gambler Sky Masterson, played by Mark Charnock, who showed off his vocal talent very well in this role. Sky has accepted a bet from his friend Nathan Detroit for $1000, that he will not be able to persuade Sarah Brown to go to Cuba with him, as Nathan is desperate to raise funds to pay for a venue so he can hold his floating crap game, so does Sarah go with Sky? Zara Newton was brilliant in the comedic role of the ditzy but loveable night club entertainer Miss Adelaide. Zara is very versatile, and I am sure she has a bright future on the stage. She was very well complemented by Jamie Mather, who also produced an excellent comedic performance as Adelaide’s fourteen year long on off fiancé, Nathan Detroit. Steve Coghlan as Nicely Nicely Johnson one of Nathan’s friends and fellow gambler, expertly led the company in a very good rousing rendition of “Sit Down Your Rocking the Boat.” Then there were other young talented actors in the cast that we should look out for in the future, who did very well and were proficient in their roles, they were Jack Elder as Benny Southstreet, Charlie Geldart as Rusty Charlie and Alex Sheeran was Lt Brannigan. Other cast members included Steve Rutter as Arvide Abernathy who sang one of my favourite songs in the show, “More I Cannot Wish You,” very nicely. Then we had Slim Lockhart as Big Julie who was someone you don’t cross or argue with, then there was Jim Briscoe as his side kick, Harry the Horse with Dorothy Prothero as General Cartwright. Diction and clarity of words were good meaning the story and action could be followed easily, and American accents were satisfactory and believable, although there was the occasional slip into a Lancashire accent.

Choreography by Liz Wainwright was expertly thought-out, and fitted in with the show’s subject matter nicely, which the Hot Box Doll dancers, the chorus and cast performed skilfully with lots of energy. The ensemble all performed as a team with loads of enthusiasm some producing their own characters and they were all significant in the success of the show.

All the cast were dressed in well thought out and expertly made costumes, ranging from Salvation Army uniforms, various striking men’s suits, to lovely colourful costumes for Adelaide which I feel must have helped Zara formulate her character.

The cast were accompanied by a band made up of particularly good musicians led by Musical Director Marley Ellis- Brennan on Keyboard 1, Nancy Wells Keyboard 2, Vince Wilcock on drums with Benjamin Lawson playing Guitar. The singing which also had good harmonies when needed was a credit to Mark Charnock and Ciara McEntee the vocal coaches.

There were two sets used, most of the action takes place with a New York street backdrop, which became the inside of the mission by adding few basic props such as chairs, a table and a lectern.The second set was the Hot Box Club  and the venue for the Crap Game which was built with scaffolding, this was quite effective. This helped the quick and smooth changing of scenes which meant the production moved at a good pace. Sound and lighting were skilfully designed and operated as is usual at Pleasure Folk by the excellent technical team. Well done Michael Chambers Stage Manager and all people working backstage

 Congratulations to Director Gemma Briscoe and to all involved in bringing this very enjoyable production to the stage, and to the production team for their leadership and dedication. Thank you for a very enjoyable afternoon, I hope to see you for your next production.

 

 

 

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