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23 January 2025
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4****
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The transition of Damon Runyon’s short stories into one of the most successful stage musicals ever, is a triumph of skill, foresight and artifice. 75 years since it first appeared on Broadway, the show retains a freshness, an originality and a charm which a number of more modern musicals lack. Over the years, especially in the UK, major new productions have given the show a new energy and a new audience; not least the 1982 National Theatre version under Richard Eyre with Julia McKenzie and Bob Hoskins, and Nicholas Hytner’s 2023 production at the Bridge Theatre choreographed by Arlene Philips with its very original staging. It is no wonder it remains a favourite.
Popular it may be, but it is a challenging piece to stage; multiple scenes, lengthy ‘ballet’ sequences, a plethora of songs, all add to a long list of hills to climb. Exeter University’s Footlights production confronts these matters head on and delivers a hugely enjoyable, wonderfully performed show which illustrates the enormous pool of talent that exists on the campus.
Throughout the standard of singing, dancing and acting is hugely impressive; in many productions, the dance sequences (eg the Crap Game Dance in Act Two) are cut for want of male dancers, but all these are carried off successfully through skilful choreography. Sasha Crosby has pushed the performers, but never beyond their capabilities resulting in vibrant production numbers which work a treat. Bearing in mind that there is no huge budget available, the sets wors well and the transitions from one to another are generally seamless. There are more than a few costumes required with this cast of twenty and, again, they are well thought through, maybe a little more colour in the Havana scene would have added extra vibrancy.
The central four characters are roles to be grabbed with both hands and this quartet do just that. Oisin Maguire’s Nathan Detroit has a wonderful level of lovable incompetence and bluster – I couldn’t help thinking of Oliver Hardy – he is matched perfectly by Emma Kennedy who gives Adelaide a beautifully touching vulnerability but with a steely determination. Their love for each other is unmistakable. Zoe Burton is a feisty Sarah Brown with the voice of an angel and her resistance/submission to the charms of Sky are completely believable. As Masterson, Sam Williams, is outstanding – cool, calm, collected and in control until he falls for Sarah, his singing voice is beautifully moderated and he exudes a likeable confidence.
Mackenzie Gilmore has huge fun as Nicely-Nicely and his rendition of the iconic ‘Sit Down Your Rocking the Boat’ doesn’t disappoint. Jazlynn Aspin adds a splendidly antagonistic (and frustrated) Lieutenant Brannigan and there is a delightfully touching performance from Zachary Wainwright as Arvide, who’s portrayal of a much older character is spot on.
Throughout the Hotbox Girls, Mission Band and the Crap Shooters give great energy to every minute of the show and serve the score and lyrics of Frank Loesser and Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows’ book really well.
A 21-piece band is a big band and they bang out the wonderful score with pizazz under the excellent direction of Henry Bersey. With a band of that size you need a good sound engineer and in Joel Sawyer you have someone who knows exactly how to balance vocals and instruments – it’s brilliant work.
At times, some of the lighting is a little erratic and the reliance on follow spots may make matters tricky, but there is time for this to be sorted for subsequent performances.
As mentioned, ‘Guys and Dolls’ is not straightforward or easy to stage, very far from it, but Director, Lizzy Thistlethwayte and Producer, Millie Koplick have pulled it off in this happy, lively and splendidly performed production by a wonderfully talented team. It is a hugely uplifting tonic which maybe is something we could all do with from time to time.
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Cast
Sarah Brown – Zoe Burton
Nathan Detroit – Oisin Maguire
Miss Adelaide – Emma Kennedy
Sky Masterson – Sam Williams
Nicely-Nicely – Mackenzie Gilmore
Brannigan – Jazlynn Aspin
Benny Southstreet – James Padley
Rusty Charley – Harvey Temple
Arvide Abernathy – Zachary Wainwright
Big Jule – Ben Lewin
General Cartwright – Madeline Jay
Harry the Horse – Brendan Grimble
Hotbox Girls – Eleanor Brazier, Liv Carney, Florence Gunstone, Eleisha Harvey, Madeline Jay, Poppy Line, Nell Sarton, Arabella Yardley.
Mission Band – Helen Seymour, Jazlynn Aspin
Creatives
Music & Lyrics – Frank Loesser
Book – Jo Swerling & Abe Burrows
Producer – Millie Koplick
Director – Lizzy Thistlethwayte
Musical Director – Henry Bersey
Choreographer – Sasha Crosby
Sound Design – Joel Sawyer
Lighting Design – James Sadler
Costume Design – Beth Williams
Set Design – Ophelia Mills
