GenQ

Guys and Dolls

This incredible new production of Guys and Dolls is currently playing an open-ended engagement at the Princess Theatre. This is how musical theatre should be. It is an absolute delight.

By now, as you are all aware, this is a “dream cast production” boasting some of the biggest names in Australian Theatre including Marina Prior, Gary McDonald, Lisa McCune, Ian Stenlake, Shane Jacobson, Magda Szubanski and Anne Phelan. Each one delivers a fine performance apart from Ms Szubanski. Never before has there been such a downplayed performance on a stage of such a talented cast. The performance was neither funny nor entertaining and by the end of the show became quite annoying.

This aside, as previously mentioned, the cast is absolutely amazing, with the surprise package being Shane Jacobson in the role of Nicely-Nicely Johnson. His voice is absolutely amazing.

The ensemble are also finely tuned, with a highlight of the entire show being the Havana scene, in which the audience is treated to one of the most excitingly danced and choreographed numbers ever seen.

The show tells the simple story of Gambler, Nathan Detroit (Gary Macdonald) and his 14 year engagement to singer, Miss Adelaide (Marina Prior). Detroit is trying to run a floating crap game and in order to secure a spot, he must bet Sky Masterson (Ian Stenlake) $1000 that he cannot take “a mission doll,” Miss Sarah Brown (Lisa McCune) to Havana. What ensues is 2 hours of sheer entertainment.

Originally starring Ewan McGregor and Jane Krakowski at London’s Donmar Warehouse, this is a somewhat scaled down production, however don’t let that stop you, as this only leaves more room for the cast to shine and give us some old fashioned Broadway magic.

Tags: Guys and Dolls