Guys and Dolls

The 1955 film version of Guys and Dolls was among the movie musicals I watched repeatedly as a kid, so every lyric and musical motif is deeply engrained into my brain, making the a bit of a high bar when I see a production of the show. However, from big theatre professional to high-school versions, this production at the Bridge Theatre was by far the best I have ever seen, even passing the film…

I was hesitant when I bought standing tickets to see the show, concerned that I would eventually stop focussing on the performances and instead of sore feet, but just as everyone told me and I will repeat here - it is the only way to see this show. Theatre in the round is one thing, but couple that with a stage made of raising and lowering platforms as the audience is guided by crew dressed as police officers, this production was incredible. The show was coordinated in such a refined manner that this interactive staging became its own excitement throughout, even if it means getting sprayed in water when a fight breaks out in Havana (which we were).

I don't need to give a synopsis of the classic Guys and Dolls… so I won't.

What I liked

Evidently I enjoyed the staging of the production. Though the seats around the stage were also probably great viewing, my engagement was electrified by the choreographed negotiation between the possible layouts of the stage and placement of the audience. Being up close to the performers, even interacting with them at times, was incredible. Which brings me to the performers; an absolutely incredible cast in amazingly vibrant costuming, I felt the standout was undeniably Timmika Ramsay as Miss Adelaide and Owain Arthur as Nathan Detroit. The duo are undeniable every time they come on stage, and on fire when there together. Ditching the commonly high-pitched nasal voicing to the character, Ramsay was a powerhouse performer with every song bringing rapturous applause. Arthur similarly was a crowd favourite, it felt as though every piece of dialogue was a clever punchline and every song lyric was a perfect conclusion.

The set design was of course unconventional given the nature of the staging, but the multitude of neon signs hanging above the stage was a fantastic way to maintain a feeling of consistency through the ever-changing set. I also enjoyed the hotdog and pretzel stands in action when entering at the beginning of the show, which we of course purchased one of and weren't half bad! 

What wasn't my favourite

The costuming of the show was fantastic, though at times perhaps inconsistent? Majority of the costumes reflected the 1920/30s era the show is set in, but the performance garb at the Hotbox felt quite modern. It's an odd line to toe, scandalous and old-fashioned, but it just felt a little out of place in the repeatedly tweed-filled costume rack.

Overall

I had a fantastic time at the Bridge Theatre seeing Guys and Dolls, I'm sure that when I see another production of it in the future, because let's face it there will always be another production of Guys and Dolls, it will be a hard one to beat.