Review: Guys and Dolls at The Bristol Hippodrome – Review
Our Verdict: Old school musical theatre entertainment for the Per Una Brigade
Our Rating: 7/10
It’s a classic top ten musical theatre show, though the circulation in my legs thought there were too many songs in Act One and the dialogue could have been somewhat shortened without loss.
But despite my moaning misgivings and the entertaining ‘Stop rustling the sweets’ dispute on the other side of the centre gangway, a patron who had clearly taken Richard Jordan’s opinion piece in The Stage this week very literally, the show was a good one.
The Set cleverly drew our eyes to the centre stage action throughout. Its various illuminations took us from dusty mission house to cleverly creating New York city in the early hours of the morning. And that’s not to forget a fantastic dance off and girl on girl punch up in a moonlit and heady Cuban bar.
The story line follows a group of gamblers, the outcome of which is redemption, literally, and a double marriage.
Richard Fleeshman as Sky Masterson
At times the group of gamblers appeared a little Bristol Light Opera Club, but Richard Fleeshman as Sky Masterson was a flawless and suave leading man. When you see a lot of theatre, it’s always great when you can nod inwardly and think, actually, he’s quite good.
Anna O’Byrne as Sarah Brown
No great surprise was the marvellous Anna O’Byrne as Sarah Brown. Switching from uptight street preacher to boozing through a drunken bar fight in Cuba packed a much needed theatrical punch nearing the end of Act One.
Then, to top this was the defining I’ve Never Been in Love Before. Perhaps it was because Act One is so long that it managed to feel genuine. Most shows move too quickly to establish a genuine and believable bond between the leads but this one nailed it.
Maxwell Caulfield as Nathan Detroit and Louise Dearman as Miss Adelaide
Louise Dearman turned out to be the show stealer tonight with her entertaining and at times touching performance of Miss Adelaide. The differing attitudes between generations were apparent and enhanced by her performance. I really had to suppress the heckle – For God’s sake ditch him – by the end of Sue Me.
There are some real show stopping songs in this musical and these were some of the best bits. Guys and Dolls, Luck Be a Lady, Havana and Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat were great fun. The cast work really well together and bring us a real flavour of 50s New York.
I thought Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat was going to be Best Song of the Night, but actually, Louise Dearman and Anna O’Byrne rocked Marry the Man Today in frighteningly good style.
Musical Director Andy Massey really brought the music to life and down there hidden in the pit were some really great brass players.
During the interval, I overheard someone two rows behind say that the show was really good but about twenty years too old for them. Doing the casual stretch and glance maneuver, it was obvious that the commentator was a good twenty years older than me. But there was something in that comment. The show was good, but harks back to a time that is barely recognisable and almost impossible to relate to. It’s definitely one to go to with the elderly mother-in-law to entertain her before you break the news that no, she’s not staying for Christmas.
Guys and Dolls is at The Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday 16 July 2016
