Guys & Dolls (Bridge Theatre, London, Personal)
🌟 Guys & Dolls 🌟
05 July 2023 at 7:30pm at Bridge Theatre, London
★★★★★
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I will begin with bringing my attention to the immersive experience in the pit of the auditorium. Initially, this was something I was quite nervous about, as I tend to feel claustrophobic in crowds. However, the environment created in this theatre felt immediately very safe and alluring, using Paul Arditti's sound design and Lily Mollgaard's prop supervision to simulate a mid 20th century American pre-show atmosphere. Vendors add to the bustle of New York, as food, beverages and more are available to buy from select stands. Personally, I thought a trilby hat was essential, and able to wear throughout the show for that extra New York style! These sellers later transform into police persons, who become usher-like for standing ticket holders. As platforms rise and fall, we are guided across the floor to get the best views of the alternating stages, and the ensemble weave around us, even holding conversations and quips towards us as they make entrances and exits. This heightens the immersive experience as we embody the crowds of New York, and there isn't a separation between us and the action. I initially felt the interactions within the audience would distract from the show, but when I came to realise these moments were still the show, I couldn't help but fall in love with the immersion even more.
The experience itself really surprised me, and the story of Guys & Dolls was very easy to understand, with very slick comedic timing to confirm itself as a very positive story, placing enjoyment above everything else. One central plot explored is the relationship between Sky (Andrew Richardson) and Sarah (Celinde Schoenmaker), a gambler and a missionary, whereby their love initially faces many bounds. Richardson is utterly charming in his portrayal of Sky, with a childish cheekiness which absolutely won audiences over. I found myself spellbound by Schoenmaker's vocals, with her versatility between her stern behaviour and wild drunkeness a delight to watch, could not stop laughing out loud! And although their love is ignited through a bet, the essence of a true, tumultuous love conquers. Which to some extent can also be seen through Nathan and Adelaide's 14 year engagement, performed by Daniel Mays and Lydia Bannister respectively. While Sky and Sarah's romance is very much a young lover's whirlwind, the squabbling, yet to marry couple proved to be scarily relatable for audiences. Mays is thoroughly entertaining, as Nathan hides his floating crap game in a frenzy from his partner and authorities alike, and his attention to character is divine both on and off the stage, definitely the strongest connection to us with his unique take on audience interaction. And Bannister's Miss Adelaide is glorious, sensual and hilarious and she flickers between her feisty Hotbox performances and frustrations at Nathan, with her facial expression and comedic timing absolutely divine!
Audiences are transported to a variety of North American locations, which are visually communicated with stellar set design from Bunny Christie. With neon signs flown in, the sense of location is immediately communicated. Large sets aren't possible due to the intimacy of the venue, however expertly designed to create temporary and fleeting worlds. Going in blind to Guys & Dolls, I would never have been expected to be taken to a club in Havana, exploding into life, visceral senses reflecting the atmosphere of a nightclub, while still maintaining the theatrics of it all. These sequences just blow my mind with their creativity, especially for standing ticket holders. Interval entertainment was a spectacular addition to consistently build the show's allure. As long as you are able to, it is essential to stay during the interval to get the full experience, in my opinion! And you might be luckily enough, as thankfully I was, to get onstage seating for the incredible Take Back Your Mink, and truly be immersed into Adelaide's Hotbox on a whole new level. To be invited onto a moving stage, for such a powerhouse show, in the centre of London, really makes dreams come true for me, and equally many more audience members alike no doubt!
From previous shows, I have always adored Arlene Phillips' choreography, and with James Cousins, Guys & Dolls is no exception to this! Boasting a fairly large cast and considering the small stages, every dance number really shines this beautiful craft, and I fell in love especially with the ensemble choreography, where you cannot take your eyes off how cohesive movement is. The perfect example is the showstopper Sit Down You're Rockin' The Boat, led by the incomparable Cedric Neal, who gives me goosebumps every time as Nicely-Nicely, heavenly vocals and such a suave manner. Sit Down has to be my favourite theatrical experience to date. The applause could've taken the roof off, and I simply adored how standing audiences are invited to dance along, though again still being true to 'theatre'. The spirit and happiness is unrivalled to any other show I've seen, in the way we, as spectators, are allowed to express more individually and share the euphoria with the cast. The night culminates with a dance circle in the pit of the auditorium, while is able to be filmed, and alike Sit Down, you are allowed to experience the show with the cast and even dance with them! Find yourself another show where you can do that, pure bliss!
This production showcases the orchestra, conducted by Tom Brady and the backstage crew excellently, so that we can really value the whole team across the show! I found it impossible to find fault with Hytner's Guys & Dolls, and I have an unbelievable amount of thoughts on this, even writing a few days later. When it comes to competition in the theatre scene, all bets are off! There are so many strong musicals around now, but this is by far my new favourite. This is the future of theatre!
* Extra shoutout to Lyn Haill and Clare Nicholson for a wonderfully detailed and beautiful programme!
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