@ Edinburgh Playhouse, until Sat 16 Apr 2016; and
@ King’s Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 7 – Sat 11 Jun 2016
It’s the 1950s in the big smoke, a jungle of glittering skyscrapers and bright lights, where the streets are bustling with gamblers, gangsters, guys and dolls. A classic glamorous old Hollywood musical, Guys and Dolls was recently revived for the West End and is now on a UK tour making a stop at Edinburgh Playhouse. The musical is beloved by audiences all over the world due to the 1955 hit movie starring the masters of music and screen, Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando. A tough act to follow, but this Olivier nominated production has proven to be a hit with audiences, with the ever popular Broadway score by the brilliant Frank Loesser featuring songs like Luck be a Lady Tonight.
Created from the Damon Runyon’s original stories including The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown, the show was inspired by 1950s streets Broadway and the local characters, crooks and sinners, including Harry the Horse and the infamous Al Capone. The story follows Nathan Detroit (Maxwell Caulfield) on his quest to find a secret location to play his illegal crap game, much to the distaste of his fiancée of 14 years and star of the Hot Box club, Miss Adelaide (Louise Dearman). To speed things along and win the money he needs for his game, Detroit bets fellow notorious gambler Sky Masterson (Richard Fleeshman) to take a girl to Havana. EASY! Dolls are all the same and who can refuse heart-throb Sky? Enter do-gooder and missionary sergeant Miss Sarah Brown (Anna O’Byrne) … perhaps this bet might be a bit more difficult than first seemed!
The show is a spectacular vision which dazzles its audiences and raises the roof with toe-tapping hits, joyful performances and electrifying choreography. There are so many highlights in this show but to pick a few: Richard Fleeshman is outstanding, exuding old Hollywood cool with a commanding stage presence and powerful vocals. He adds an intriguing vulnerability to Sky Masterson, and draws the audience towards his relationship with Brown, played by Anna O’Byrne, who also gives a strong performance. Louise Dearman wins the audience over with her impeccable comedic timing and her cheeky smile which fills the Hot Box with incredible energy, while Maxwell Caulfield’s otherwise good performance is a little clumsy at times.
The climax then produces the fantastic ensemble number Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat with Nicely Nicely Johnston (the truly brilliant Jack Edwards) leading the cast. A complex, fast-paced and joyful number, it leaves the audience in a roar of applause.
On what may have been a dreich, rainy and cold day in Scotland’s capital, Guys and Dolls raises the spirits and leaves the audience dreaming of the far away city that never sleeps.