Guys and Dolls

New Alexandra Theatre

*****

THIS is one of those great American musicals which is a sheer delight for audiences and must be a joy to take part in. It never fades with time and this superb production certainly does it justice.

The story about gamblers and a virtuous Salvation Army girl’s unlikely love for a bit of a crook, is simply busting with great music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and the cast certainly deserved the cheers they received on opening night.

It has the lot – an enjoyable tale, powerful singing, terrific dancing to Carlos Acosta and Andrew Wright’s choreography, and a bunch of wonderful characters.

None better than Miss Adelaide, song and dance star of the Hot Box Night Club in New York and serial fiancé (14 years) of the illegal crap (dice) game organizer Nathan Detroit. She is played with sublime skill and humour by Sophie Thompson who is brilliant with Adelaide’s Lament and Take Back Your Mink.

She forms the perfect (long-running) partnership with Detroit who spends his time trying to find new safe venues for the secret gambling while being shadowed by police Lieutenant Brannigan (WilliamOxborrow).

A perfect performances too from Jamie Parker as Sky Masterson who will bet on anything . . . even getting a date with the prim Sally Army girl Sarah Brown, impressively played by Siubhan Harrison. Their duet, I’ve Never Been in Love Before, was moving.

And what a finish, with Gavin Spokes in great voice with the show-stopper, Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.

A cracking performance, too, from the orchestra under the direction of Gareth Valentine. Unmissable.

To 05.12.15

Paul Marston 

Glorious Guys and Delightful Dolls

 

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