Review: GUYS AND DOLLS, New Alexandra Theatre Birmingham, November 25 2015

Guys and Dolls has a long musical history. Originating and premiering on Broadway in 1950 and winning the Tony Award for Best Musical the following year, the show was soon turned into a film starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, for which it is most fondly recognised. There have been a multitude of successful revivals over the years and this one is currently enjoying a couple of pre-West End engagements before it opens at the Savoy Theatre for a limited run, starting next month.

Cards on the table (no pun intended!), the book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows is not the best thing ever written. It has a thread but there isn't a great deal of depth to it. Furthermore, Frank Loessler's music and lyrics are good but as a whole, not particularly ground breaking. However, this production has been brought to life by the strength of its image and the talent of its performers. Peter McKintosh's bold and striking set design encompasses the entire feel of the show. Most of it is static but Tim Mitchell's lighting makes you realise that there is more detail that initially meets the eye. The lighting has a very old-school theatrical style which works perfectly in this scenario and emphasises the beautiful costumes as well.

Gordon Greenberg directs this production and has seemingly focused a lot of his efforts on characterisation which definitely pays off. Andrew Wright and Carlos Acosta have choreographed the piece exceedingly well, although it would have been nice to feel a little more of Acosta's influence. There are glimmers of this during the Havana sequence which was very enjoyable, if somewhat chaotic.

The four leads: Nathan Detroit, Miss Adelaide, Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown (played by David Haig, Sophie Thompson, Jamie Parker and Siubhan Harrison respectively) are incredibly strong. Haig has real charm and although his singing and dancing abilities are mediocre, his acting is his best asset by far. Thompson is an utter joy with her superb comic timing and her rendition of 'Adelaide's Lament' is hilarious, along with her Hot Box nightclub routines. Parker is supremely charismatic and has a very raw and edgy tone to his vocals which are phenomenal; greatly displayed in 'Luck Be A Lady'. Sarah Brown as a character can sometimes be overlooked a little due to the other dominant characters but Harrison holds her own and gives a very self-assured performance. The principals are heavily supported by the multi-talented ensemble who display acrobatics and a variety of different dance styles throughout. 'Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat' is a particular highlight with excellent lead vocals from Gavin Spokes as Nicely Nicely Johnson.

Guys and Dolls plays at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until 5th December before transferring to the West End and then the tour continues from March 2016.

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