Straight from the West End, the Guys and Dolls UK Tour provides an outstanding production of Frank Loesser’s classic musical.
Set in New York, Nathan Detroit is a middle aged gambler who has been engaged to his fiance Miss Adelaide for 14 years, a woman who is desperate to get married but Nathan just can’t get the money together. Nathan makes a bet with young gambler Sky Masterson that he won’t get the beautiful church missionary Sarah Brown to go to Havana with him. After Sky wins the bet himself and Sarah inevitably fall in love but Sky feels guilty that their love blossomed because of his bet and he insists they can’t be together because he isn’t good enough for her.
Set designer Peter McKintosh doesn’t hold back when it comes to the glamorous bright lights and extravagant staging. The classic tale is brought to life using contemporary set design, giving it a modern and up to date feel whilst still maintaining the elegance and timelessness of the musical.
Sophie Thompson plays the warm-hearted comic role of Miss Adelaide, she gives an excellent performance of the ditzy hopeless romantic. Her comedy timing is superb and her energy and commitment to the role is flawless. David Haig stars alongside her as the suave gambling fiance, he brings charisma and wit to the role.
Siubhan Harrison, an excellent fit for the role of naive and honest Sarah Brown. I thoroughly enjoyed her modern take on the role whilst also maintaining the legit vocal style, capturing the character exceptionally, highlighted during If I were a Bell. Her love interest Sky Masterson played by Jamie Parker, the sly New Yorker gives a highly convincing performance. He performs Luck be a Lady with sublime style, his chemistry with Siubhan Harrison is compelling.
Choreographers Carlos Acosta and Andrew Wright have created a masterpiece, using inspiration from both ballet and street dance, the choreography is slick and the energy is electric. Particularly during the steamy cuban dance scene and the show stealing number Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat which had the audience roaring with applause.
Gavin Spokes plays Nicely-Nicely Johnson, who gives the testimony Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat has a tremendous comedy duo with Ian Hughes, they excel in their number Guys and Dolls, a hilarious performance with precision, really creating the sense of old school musical theatre.
Guys and Dolls is a flawless revival that is bound to leave you dancing out of the theatre, a show with hysterical comic scenes and phenomenally choreographed musical numbers.
Guys and Dolls is at the Palace Theatre until Saturday the 21st of November and tickets are available here.
2 comments
I will try and catch it when it comes to Birmingham.