Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre: A Modern Adaptation of the Broadway Classic
Visits to the British capital are incomplete without nights of show-stopping music and entertainment. As a musical theatre girl through and through, the reconstructed, immersive modernisation of the 1950’s romance-comedy, Guys and Dolls, did not disappoint.
Running at the Bridge Theatre for over a year, this unique retelling of the classical story was a risk pulled off impeccably. When I was faced with the question of standard seating tickets or being right there on the stage amongst the hustle and bustle, the answer was obvious.
Experiencing the musical in this way felt like attending a party, or traveling back in time to the streets of 1950’s Manhattan, rather than watching a show. From moving platforms, being ushered by NYC cops, to the opportunity to even get on stage and dance with the actors at the end of the performance, it seemed that the standing audience got the most bang for their buck. That’s not to say that the show in itself wasn’t captivating - the sheer quality of the performance meant it could certainly be enjoyed from the seats too.
Guys and Dolls takes the enticing old-age trope of “good girl” and “bad boy” to a whole new level when the notoriously undefeated gambler, Sky Masterson, is challenged with the bet that he can’t take ‘save-our-souls' mission girl, Sarah Brown, on a date to Havana. At first glance the themes of the show may seem outdated for a contemporary audience, but, attempts to modernise the narrative do not go unnoticed - references to homosexuality as well as a more diverse cast make for a culturally relevant and exceptionally hilarious adaptation of this Broadway classic.
My own personal highlight had to be Timika Ramseys jaw-dropping portrayal of Miss Adeleine, an eccentric show dancer growing frustrated from enduring a 14 year long engagement to gambler and man-child, Nathan Detroit. Ramsey’s powerful vocals and daring dance scenes at the ‘hot box’ made it impossible to look away and left the audience wanting more. The passionate dance numbers in Cuban gay clubs turned into jealous fights breaking out and the audience being splashed with water; the performance was certainly not short of thrills.
As somebody who had never seen any prior adaptations of Guys and Dolls, I felt the show simply embodied an ultimate feel-good energy. From catchy tunes to tap dancing interludes and witty one-liners, the production succeeds in leaving you with a spring in your step and wanting to recommend it to all of your friends. The immersive aspect of the show transported audience members to Havana and added a much appreciated intimacy to the performance - certainly not one to be missed.
