★★★

“a charming, spirited take on this musical theatre classic.”

‘Guys and Dolls’ lands in Cambridge courtesy of the Cambridge Operatic Society, a seasoned amateur society known for high quality staging. As the only non professional company to grace the Cambridge Arts Theatre stage, expect a show packed with charm and ambition, if a little rough around the edges. But then, who isn’t?

In 1950s New York City, small time hustler Nathan Detroit needs dough to keep the heat off his illegal craps game – so he wagers high roller Sky Masterson that Sky can’t charm missionary Sarah Brown into a trip to Cuba. Meanwhile, ageing showgirl Miss Adelaide finds her patience wearing thin with marriage shy Nathan, and Sarah’s mission is on the line without more ‘sinners’. By helping each other, maybe they’ll end up lucky in cards and love.

Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows’ classic book receives a subtle lift of modernity under Helena Petrovna and David Barrett’s direction, choreography and production. Yes, there are ‘Noo Yawk’ accents, neon lights and circle skirts; but there’s also pleasing takes on time worn tropes. Sarah boldly initiates all the kisses; a line swap lets Sky side-step non-consensual drinking; Adelaide is humanised beyond the ‘long suffering fiancée’ archetype; likewise Nathan shows affection long before ‘Sue Me’. Perhaps most pleasingly – and unexpectedly – Arvide Abernathy subtly reveals a lost queer love, adding poignancy to hope. All scenes are dynamic, bringing the characters and setting to life. The choreography is a little mixed, with a show-stopping ‘Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat’ sitting uneasily alongside cheesier numbers. Though thanks to the thoughtful interpretation, the production retains a certain charm.

James Harvey’s musical direction boosts Frank Loesser’s score with a brassy 20-piece band. Some entries and intonations could be tighter, but the overall effect remains impressive for an amateur production.

The set design conjures New York with smart use of levels and light strips, while onstage screens supply visual detail – including the delightful correction of a certain Bible quote.

Dominic Plunkett’s lighting deftly evokes the skyscraper silhouette of nighttime New York, offering a pleasing contrast with balmy Cuba. The base state could use a touch more attention, with slightly patchy cover.

Jonathan Armitage’s sound design, supported by Sophie Ruh and Rhydian Green, fills the space with orchestra, voices, and ambient sounds that place us in the streets and the sewers. The balance and mic cues could use fine tuning, with an overpowering orchestra and some late entries breaking the flow.

The costume design evokes the 1955 film, with crisp red missionary uniforms and sharp suits of the gamblers. The Hot Box girls sport suitably saucy numbers and, in the spirit of gender equality, so do the men at one point (!). Everything loosens in the shift to Cuba, though clothing a Cuban child in a sack feels like an unnecessary misstep.

The four principals are fantastic, with Saskia Edwards-Korolczuk’s Sarah and Luke Thomas’ Sky offering assured, engaging performances with standout vocals. Vikki Jones’ Adelaide is irresistibly charming, with a confident accent, nuanced characterisation and soaring vocals giving her great warmth and humanity. Scott Riley’s Nathan has easy comic rhythm, gentle tenderness and secure singing, making him an endearing hustler. The remaining company is more variable, particular the gabbling gamblers who lose stretches of dialogue and lyrics. The ensemble’s enthusiasm is undeniable, but a touch more precision would help their work land with greater impact.

With commanding leads, richer characterisation and some genuinely fabulous vocal work, the Cambridge Operatic Society’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ delivers a lively, good hearted night out. It may not reach West End heights, but it’s a charming, spirited take on this musical theatre classic.

GUYS & DOLLS at the Bridge Theatre

★★★★★

“Hytner’s production is a thrilling experience full of surprises”

Guys & Dolls has been playing at the Bridge Theatre since March 2023 in Nicholas Hytner’s reimagined production which turns the 1950s Broadway musical into full-on immersive production. Its final cast change before its announced closure in January sees Gina Beck taking over as Sarah Brown, also joined by Michael Simkins as Arvide Abernathy. They join members of the previous cast include Owain Arthur, Timmika Ramsay and Jonathan Andrew Hume, as Nathan Detroit, Miss Adelaide and Nicely-Nicely Johnson, respectively.

If you’re not familiar with the story beyond the parody in The Simpsons, it follows Nathan Detroit’s illegal floating crap game, which he hides from financée of 14 years Miss Adelaide. When Detroit places a bet with gambler Sky Masterson that he must take a woman of Detroit’s choosing to Havana, Masterson (George Ioannides) has to try and impress leader of the Save-a-Soul mission, Sarah Brown. What follows is two side-by-side relationship stories alongside visits to the Hotbox nightclub where Adelaide performs.

Hytner’s production is a thrilling experience full of surprises. Half the audience are stood on and around Bunny Christie’s set which sees stage pieces rise and fall for scenes to be played on before the action quickly moves somewhere else. The work of the stage management team in this production is a feat in itself, as they usher audiences around the moving set pieces, bringing on street lamps, staircases, and even at one moment managing to catch the underwear thrown offstage by the Hotbox dancers.

Having seen the original cast, the newcomers have a lot to live up to, and they absolutely make this show and the roles their own. Ramsay is electric as Miss Adelaide. With expansive vocals, she tears the stage apart with “A Bushel and a Peck”, in a number which is sexy, playful, and shows off a star performance. She brings great comedy to “Adelaide’s Lament” and the rapport with co-star Arthur is sharp and fiery, particularly in their second act duet “Sue Me”, which plays the line between lust and frustration to perfection.

Gina Beck follows previous leading lady roles, including Glinda in Wicked and, more recently, Maria in Chichester’s production of The Sound of Music last year. She is very held together as Sarah Brown before letting her hair down and spinning around lamp posts in “If I Were a Bell”, thanks to Arlene Phillips and James Cousin’s choreography. Her voice has gorgeous, crystal-clear operatic tones. She plays against Ioannides, who also returns to the show, and their verision of “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” is a total delight. Likewise, Simkins’ rendition of “More I Cannot Wish You”, which he sings to Beck, has a real sense of warmth and wisdom which is very touching.

The best number of the show though is saved for Nicely-Nicely Johnson, and is perhaps the best known number “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat”. Quite hilariously, the number serves very little plot purpose, other than being a distraction so the General doesn’t cotton on to schemes of the crap game players. Cedric Neal received an Olivier Award nomination for originating this role, so again big boots to fill. Hume is fantastic. His Nicely-Nicely is warm, engaging and a little bit cheeky and he looks like he’s having the absolute time of his life performing this number, which in turn lets the audience have a great time as well. The crowd cheer as he encourages the orchestra to give him an encore and the whole room gets involved clapping along.

If you’re going to revive a 70-year-old musical which is, let’s be honest, rather dated in its plot, then this is the way to do it. It never tries to say ‘this is now’ but instead unapologetically transports us to a different time altogether and gives us an evening of thorough entertainment.

Guys & Dolls plays at the Bridge until January so if you haven’t yet made it along to this 5-Star production make sure that you do. There’s nothing else quite like it!

Tag Archives: Frank Loesser

GUYS AND DOLLS

★★★

Cambridge Arts Theatre

GUYS AND DOLLS

Cambridge Arts Theatre

★★★

“a charming, spirited take on this musical theatre classic.”

GUYS AND DOLLS

Cambridge Arts Theatre

Reviewed on 14th January 2026

by Hannah Bothelton

Photography by Peter Buncombe

Guys and Dolls

Guys and Dolls

Guys and Dolls

GUYS & DOLLS

★★★★★

Bridge Theatre

GUYS & DOLLS at the Bridge Theatre

★★★★★

“Hytner’s production is a thrilling experience full of surprises”