Reviewed Alice Clayton
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review
I'll start this review by saying this is one of the best productions I've ever seen. Anywhere.
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| Gina Beck, George Ioannides and Michael Simkins. Photo by Manuel Harlan |
Over the years, I've been an audience member for professional Guys and Dolls productions in London on three separate occasions; 1996, 2006, 2015 and now, again! Previously, the productions have always had one problem in my opinion, they are just not the film. The 1955 classic had Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Jean Simmons and Vivian Blaine leading. It added (just for Frank) the winning song 'Adelaide', did not include songs such as 'Marry the Man Today' and 'More I Cannot Wish You', changed 'I've Never Been in Love Before' for the far cooler, 'A Woman in Love', which was, in my opinion, a fantastic shout! How wonderful it was to see a production with all the scripted songs done correctly, and for the first time ever, I enjoyed them.
That seems like a negative start for what was a faultless production.
I was in the standing area, able to lean on the stage, have actors move past me, have water sprayed on me, given props to hold...Entering the auditorium you are presented with a Manhattan hive, street signs lighting the way to perfection. Stalls selling hot food and pretzels, with Coca-Cola, hats, sunglasses - yes for the standing audience to actually meander through and buy if they so wish. I loved it.
As soon as the first note of the overture began you knew the director, creative team, choreographer, and in fact, all involved on the creative level love the film and love this show.
Before we talk about the actors, let's chat about the Front of House team and stage crew.
This team of around only 20 were instrumental in orchestrating us the audience, just like the MD was in orchestrating his perfect band. In truth, I've never known a show where everyone was in harmony with each other this much.
The stage lifts, retracts, set is brought on and off, props moved, actors entered and exited, and all whilst we the audience are being asked in expertly silent fashion to move to one side, move closer to the stage, sit at a table, hold something...What a wonderful job everyone here did and thank you for this too. You fully deserved your applause at the end show.
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| Gina Beck and Timmika Ramsay. Photo by Manuel Harlan. |
Nathan Detroit is performed by Owain Arthur. Firstly, how nice it was to hear Nathan sing, rather than shout his duet with Adalaide. His comic timing was sensational and his partnership with Tammika Ramsay was just one of the many highlights in Guys and Dolls tonight.
Tammika Ramsay played Miss Adelaide and again, an absolute wow. Comedy with every little look, to every big look. From embarrassing a young audience member sitting in the Hot Box, letting a laugh hang in the air for just the right amount of time, before quipping he was welcome.
The character for Adelaide was changed ever so slightly, making her a more modern gal, and in this way expanded her as a character. The song 'Bushel and a Peck' was brought down to become a naughty little number, with clever, sexy choreography by the master Arlene Phillips. Giving Adelaide a fiercer demeanour rather than a kitchen wife who does what she's told was so correct and Tammika owned every sinew of Adelaide.
Sky Masterson was performed by George Ioannides. Again, some decisions to alter Sky ever so slightly were spot on. His tenor voice held every note, and the audience in his hands. This version felt like whilst Sky was still the super-cool guy, he was also subtly playful which allowed him to have a few more laughs.
With the setting of this show being in the round, and audience members literally on stage with the cast, making Sky more playful allowed him the engage with us more. Although the expected and majority of this engagement came from Nicely Nicely, Benny Southstreet and Nathan Detroit, but just having George be more playful with Sky, you warmed to him naturally and wanted him to succeed.
Sister Sarah Brown was played by Gina Beck.
Again, an ever so slightly different Sarah Brown. Not just the cold strict missionary, but able to be playful and more warm also, even if only when drunk! Gina and George's chemistry...Chemistry? Yea, chemistry! Was electric. From the first jokes together about sinners and lying, and how lying isn't one of Sky's sins, to the two pairs of pants lyric. Sensational.
With the changes to Adelaide making her Nathan's equal rather than a one-dimensional character, the same can be said for Sarah Brown. Although she's always been straight-laced, the choices here of a more unworldly rather than naive Sarah somehow matches her with Sky much, much better.
Nicely Nicely, thank you. What a part to be graced with, and boy did Jonathan Andrew Hume grace us with a performance. Top F I think at the end of 'Rocking the Boat'? AND after all that running around and climbing over tables. A triumph. It's impossible to dislike Nicely Nicely, especially when played to perfection.
In truth, the whole cast were perfect. Moving between the audience, dancing in sometimes very restricted spaces with ease. Dance numbers were sharp, small, almost unnoticeable at time with small tricks and flicks, but the energy behind everything - stunning.
Arlene Phillips is a choreographer with more theatre knowledge than the rest of the West Ends choreographers put together, and here with Guys and Dolls she put every single ounce of that wealth of artistry into the show. As already mentioned, there is clearly a love of the film and at times you see matching dance moves from film to stage, and then there are joyful moments of originality on 'Luck Be a Lady' to 'Rocking the Boat'.
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| Gina Beck. Photo by Manuel Harlan. |
Having Sky dance in Havana with a male dancer, showing how the coolest cat in town has no prejudice, having a Barbershop Quartet sing throughout the interval, keeping everything alive, even on the downtime.
Tempo changes on songs to make them feel dirtier and have you feel you really are in the Hot Box Club, Adelaide and Sarah Brown both being the men's equals.
I cannot say how much this show and everything that was decided before rehearsals was right and outstandingly brilliant.
Is there a negative???
Yes...but only a few minor quibbles that did not detract me from the show overall.
Lieutenant Brannigan was weak compared to the rest of the cast's calibre which was a real shame. I'd have liked more from him, he has some great lines. The cider line from Sky was lost after the bet...but that is it.
If a piece of theatre is there to connect us to each other - us and the story tellers - and make us feel something truly wonderful then Guys and Dolls at the Bridge Theatre ticks every single box. This is a pretty damn perfect show.
I only wish I had a seat so I could have stood at the end. I'm still applauding this show.
Do not miss.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Guys and Dolls plays at The Bridge Theatre until Saturday 4th January 2025 https://bridgetheatre.co.uk/
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