Guys and Dolls review: a ‘solid-gold’ revival at the Bridge Theatre
There’s world-class singing and dancing in a show that ‘raises the bar’
With hits ranging from One Man, Two Guvnors and The History Boys to Miss Saigon, it is fair to say that Nicholas Hytner “knows how to put on a show”, said David Benedict in Variety. So it was always likely that if he took on “arguably the greatest musical comedy ever written”, he’d produce something special. But he’s done more than that. His production of Frank Loesser’s Guys and Dolls is a “solid-gold knockout” that raises the bar – as well as the roof – sky high, and that could happily run forever.
His “game-changing” masterstroke (with designer Bunny Christie) is to stage the piece in the round, on a series of platforms that rise and fall in front of a promenade audience, said Andrzej Lukowski in Time Out. There’s seating if you prefer. But the buzz from being right beside “world-class singing and dancing” makes this a “transcendent” experience.
It’s not just the innovative staging, though, said Nick Curtis in the Evening Standard. Every aspect of this “exhilarating” production is scintillating. The choreography, by Arlene Phillips and James Cousins, is “astonishing”. The 14-piece live swing band is “glorious”, said Sarah Crompton on What’s On Stage. And the performances all feel “fresh-minted” – digging below the “period cliché and the gambling lingo to discover the truth of misplaced loves and longings”. Daniel Mays is superb as Nathan Detroit, combining “street smarts” with a wary vulnerability. Marisha Wallace is sensational as his perpetual fiancée, Adelaide. Andrew Richardson, in his professional theatre debut, is “astonishingly charismatic” as the gambler Sky Masterson; and Celinde Schoenmaker, as the Salvation Army sergeant Sarah Brown, sends “shivers down your spine” with the “beauty and glory” of her singing.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Between them, these four sublime performers “mine the twin love affairs on view for all their emotional heft”, said Matt Wolf in The New York Times. “They sing splendidly, and break your heart, too.” Indeed, the whole of this blissful production turns Guys and Dolls into “something as touching as it is tuneful”. There is “nothing I could wish more for theatregoers than to experience” it for themselves.
Bridge Theatre, London SE1 (0333-320 0050). Until 2 September; bridgetheatre.co.uk
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 12, 2024
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - judgemental looks, Europe's bumpy ride, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Will Gary Lineker's departure be an own goal for the BBC?
Today's Big Question Former star striker turned highest-paid presenter will leave Match of the Day after 25 years, with BBC head of sport reportedly declining to offer him a contract
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The potential impact of Trump tariffs for the UK
UK goods exports to the US could be hit with tariffs of up to 20% seriously affecting the British economy
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Juror #2: Clint Eastwood's 'cleverly constructed' courtroom drama is 'rock solid'
The Week Recommends Nicholas Hoult stars in 'morally complex' film about a juror on a high-profile murder case
By The Week UK Published
-
Explore a timeless corner of Spain by bike
The Week Recommends Take a 'dawdling route through the back-country' far from the tourism hotspots
By The Week UK Published
-
Saoirse Ronan: how the actress went viral
In the Spotlight The actress dropped a 'chat-icide bomb' on Graham Norton's BBC show
By The Week UK Published
-
Edmund de Waal on this year's Booker Prize shortlist
The Week Recommends The chair of judges details works by Rachel Kushner, Percival Everett and others
By The Week UK Published
-
Griddled salmon and vegetables with miso and melted butter recipe
The Week Recommends Hokkaido comfort food classic with a delicious twist
By The Week UK Published
-
Shattered: Hanif Kureishi's 'inspirational' memoir of accident that left him paralysed
The Week Recommends 'Exhilarating' book is composed of diary entries dictated to his son Carlo
By The Week UK Published
-
Dr. Strangelove: is stage adaptation of iconic film a 'foolish' move?
Talking Point Steve Coogan puts on a dazzling performance in show that falls short of 'the real thing'
By The Week UK Published
-
Small Things Like These: 'stylish' Irish drama 'casts a powerful spell'
The Week Recommends 'Stylish' drama starring Cillian Murphy as a devoted father
By The Week UK Published