Last
night (3rd May 2016) myself and Nanny Cora went to the press evening
of Frank Loesser’s Guys and Dolls UK Tour at the Norwich Theatre Royal. The
traffic was an absolute nightmare and I am still traumatised by the anxiety of
potential lateness that could have occurred however this was soon cured by an
espresso martini waiting for me at the Italian restaurant. We had a little
catch up obviously only just left her from War of the Worlds and then meandered
up to the Theatre Royal and took up our seats when a local celebrity sat next
to us; Susie Fowler-Watt the BBC Look East anchor. Nanny Cora was shell-shocked
as she is a big fan of Look East and Fowler-Watt herself. By the interval we
had had a chat with Susie Fowler-Watt and her and Nanny Cora got on like a
house on fire, even grabbing a quick photo at the curtain call; such a lovely
lady and very genuine.
Guys and Dolls is a fabulous show, it would be Loesser winning the Pulitzer Prize
for Drama in 1962 for a previous musical ‘How to Succeed in Business without
Really Trying’, and only one of nine musicals to win the prize since its
creation, so Loesser knows what he’s doing. The multi-award winning musical has
music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling, winning
both Tony’s and Olivier’s over the years of many productions. Guys and Dolls
was nominated six times at this year’s Olivier’s although not winning any
unfortunately but the competition was extremely fierce. Following a run at the
Chichester Festival Theatre before moving to Manchester and Birmingham Guys and
dolls arrived at the Savoy for a short run. It has now entered on another UK tour
and a production playing at West End’s Phoenix Theatre. I saw the nominated
cast in Birmingham last year so I was really looking forward to seeing a new
cast who did not disappoint at all. Guys and Dolls tells the story of sinners
Nathan Detroit and his compulsive need to gamble away his money at a crap game
(dice) at the tournament of his fiancée Miss Adelaide who just wants to get
married already. Detroit’s friend Sky Masterson arrives on scene with his money
and confidence and is given a bet that cannot be won (can it?) that he couldn’t
take Miss Sarah Brown, a straight-laced missionary, on a date in Havana.
This
musical comedy stars Richard Fleeshman as Sky Masterson, Maxweel Caufield as
Nathan Detroit, Lucy Jane Adcock as Miss Adelaide and Anna O’Byrne as Sarah
Brown. For me my favourite singer was Anna O’Bryne by far who had a very
operatic style to her voice which suited her missionary persona and her
confusion over her feelings for Sky. I was excited to see Fleeshman as I
remember him from a few years back in Coronation Street when my family watched
it. Fleeshman was then on a celebrity reality singing contest and everyone was
so surprised at what an awesome singer he was. His American twang was stimulating and he had
a lovely voice; he’s also easy on the eye I think you’d agree. My favourite
character in Guys and Dolls will always be Miss Adelaide. When I last saw Guys and Dolls she was played by Olivier award winning Sophie Thompson who was
absolutely immense (nominated this year for Best Actress in a musical, losing
out to Imelda Staunton for Gypsy). Lucy Jane Adcock was a grand Adelaide and
her dance numbers were fantastic; apart from when her daisy fell off in Bushel and
a Peck. Comedy duo Jack Edwards and Mark Sangster play Detroit’s cronies
Nicely-Nicely Johnson and Benny Southstreet respectively and they were comedy
gold, particularly Edwards. My Nanny Cora described Edwards as light on his
feet during Rockin’ a Boat number and I have to agree with Nanny he had some
moves and his Yankee singing voice was super.
With
musical classics including ‘Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat’ and ‘Luck be a
Lady’ as well as some of my personal favourites like ‘I’ll Know’, ‘A Bushel and
a Peck’, ‘Adelaide’s Lament’ (both), ‘I’ve Never Been in Love Before’, ‘Take
Back Your Mink’, ‘Sue Me’, and ‘Marry the Man Today’ Guys and Dolls is a
romantic comedy musical score that cannot be afforded to be missed and will
have you all singing for days to come (I know this it happened to me after I
saw it last time). Andrew Wright and Carlos Acosta choreographed this
production of Guys and Dolls and it is fantastic, I overheard while leaving the
auditorium audience members commenting on how much they loved the dance
routines and how much effort the whole cast put into these routines. Wright and
Acosta were also nominated for this year’s Olivier for choreography losing to
In the heights.
Peter
McKintosh designed the costumes and set; I absolutely love the male costumes
all the pinstripes, tartan and multi coloured suits of the gamblers are
awesome, I would wear them all. I also love Adelaide and her girls’ performance
outfits; proper what I call cabaret variety costumes. The set on Guys and Dolls
is wonderful and it was just as good if not better than last time (nothing had
changed I don’t think). The backdrop which represents the tall sky scrapers of
New York City and the advertising billboards, the effect is magnificent. This
would be nowhere without Tim Mitchell’s lighting design. The changing of the
lights helps the audience follow the story with the flight to Cuba, outdoors or
inside the lights aid story telling. The bright lights of tall buildings and
the flashing of advertising in the Big Apple are mesmerising and I absolutely
loved it.
Guys and Dolls is showing at the Norwich Theatre Royal until Saturday 7th
May with evening performances at 7:30pm and a matinee on Thursday and Saturday
at 2:30pm; tickets are still available however they are limited in numbers so
you need to be quick to get yours. If you miss the performance at Norwich
Theatre Royal the tour continues visiting big cities including Leeds, Plymouth,
Glasgow, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Cardiff and more. Guys and Dolls is currently
at the Phoenix Theatre in the West End with bookings the end of October 2016.
Guys and Dolls is a favourite for any musical theatre fan and if you have never
seen it you definitely should add it you’re your musical theatre bucket list.
Please get in touch and share your stories and thoughts of Guys and Dolls on
twitter @AaronBurgess89
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