Guys & Dolls BMOS at Birmingham Alexandra Theatre

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Tue 28 Jun 2022 - Sat 02 Jul 2022

The annual production by BMOS returns to Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre and this time it's taking a gamble on the gangster musical Guys and Dolls .



On until Saturday July 2, Birmingham and Midland Operatic Society may be an amateur dramatics company but this show has the razzle-dazzle and enthusiasm associated with professional tours.

They've set themselves a big task of following in the footsteps of greats like Frank Sinatra, Jean Simmons and Marlon Brando in the famous Hollywood movie of the same name.

But at the fore is BMOS' strength in its members' singing. The songs make this show one of the most catchy musicals of all time and they really are done justice, sung with a live orchestra.



Glorious songs from Luck Be A Lady Tonight to If I Were A Bell and Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat have a professional slickness to them. Plus it's a glossy set with plenty of scene, backdrop and outfit changes.

The story is a mix of gangsters, gambling, comedy and romance set in New York in the 1950s. Rascal Nathan Detroit runs illegal gambling nights and is juggling issues with paying for a venue along with his frustrated showgirl fiancé Adelaide, whose running out of patience from being engaged for 14 years.

When high-rolling gambler Sky Masterson stops off in town, Nathan sees a way out of his problems by betting him $1000 that he can't date the strait-laced head of the mission, Sarah Brown.



The musical opens itself to many character acting roles of which Jo Smith excels as Miss Adelaide with a high-pitched New York accent and allergies developed from her long engagement. Phil Saunders is a comical highlight neighing along as eccentric gangster Harry The Horse too.

The real revelation is Alex Broadfield as Nicely Nicely Johnson. He's Nathan's sidekick who seems to be eating in nearly every scene. He manages to pull off the comedy role well, even with a mouth full, but his voice is a real showstopper. He leads many numbers including the climatic Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat plus is a delight with Scott Hurley singing Guys and Dolls.

The four main leads have been carefully selected. James Gordanifar has a suave confidence on stage as Sky Masterson and is never better than his performance in Luck Be A Lady Tonight.



Annabel Pilcher is a strong Sarah Brown in one of the few serious roles in this show. She has the voice and acting skills to make her believable, while Pat Pryce gives Nathan the right amount of lovable cheekiness. He's also got good chemistry with Jo Smith's Adelaide, which makes their scenes together so funny and delightful.

It's not just these leads that make this show a success, it's the large cast. They have an infectious enthusiasm and it's obvious how hard they have worked to make Guys and Dolls so entertaining.

From the sassy Hot Box Girls' dance routines to the big numbers on Broadway, every player was in the zone.



It may be an amateur production but it's one of the best quality of its kind. My advice is to take a gamble on this joyful show as you can't lose.

RATING:& #9733 ;& #9733 ;& #9733 ;& #9733 ;& #9734 ;

2 hours 40 minutes incl. interval

Book tickets from £18.40 from the Alexandra Theatre website here .

Cast:

Sarah Brown – Annabel Pilcher

Sky Masterson – James Gordanifar

Miss Adelaide – Jo Smith

Nathan Detroit - Pat Pryce

Arvide Abernathy – Chris Loughran

General Cartwright – Michelle Worthington

Nicely-Nicely Johnson – Alex Broadfield

Benny Southstreet – Scott Hurley

Harry the Horse – Phil Saunders

Big Jule - Patison Harrigan

Lieutenant Brannigan – Peter Goldsmith

Bag Lady – Michaela Hinton

Havana Dancer – Ellie Simpson


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!date 28/06/2022 -- 02/07/2022
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