⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ A fun production for all the family!

Directed by Stephen Duckham, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, Guys and Dolls is the latest production from the BMOS Musical Theatre Company, an amateur performing arts group with members of all ages from across the West Midlands. 

Revered as one of the classics, Guys and Dolls tells the story of Nathan Detroit (Pat Pryce) who needs $1,000 to host a crap game. In an effort to raise the money, he bets gambler Sky Masterson (James Gordanifar) that he can’t take the virtuous Sister Sarah Brown on a date to Havana, Cuba. Meanwhile, Nathan is also being chased by his fiancé of 14 years, Miss Adelaide (Jo Smith), who is desperate to get married and settle down…

The four leads were superb throughout. Pat Pryce was a natural as loveable rogue Nathan Detroit, with an on-point accent, great singing voice and fantastic chemistry with Jo Smith’s Miss Adelaide. Smith mastered the very essence of the role, delighting the audience with her high-pitched nasally New York accent and comic one-liners. The suave and handsome Sky Masterson was delivered beautifully by James Gordanifar, who managed to show a slightly softer side to the role. As the sweet and naive Sister Sarah Brown, Annabelle Pilcher was undoubtedly the stand-out performance of the evening, with a glorious powerhouse vocal, sweet and sensitive characterisation and complete command of the stage – completely mesmerising to watch. 

The supporting cast provided some great moments throughout – Alex Broadfield was perfect in the role of Nicely Nicely Johnson, Michelle Worthington demonstrated some impressive vocals as General Cartwright, and the comedy duo of Harry the Horse (Phil Saunders) and Big Jule (Dave Shaw) brought lots of laughs. 

With an iconic soundtrack of songs including “Luck Be a Lady,’ “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat,’ ’Sue Me and I’ll Know, the cast navigated their way through the show, songs and choreography with precision. The company rehearses for six months leading up to a performance and it showed – everyone knew exactly what they were doing and clearly loved every second of it. 

Additionally, the set and lighting is superb (in this instance the set was better than some I have seen from professional touring companies), with scene changes involving the simple but effective sliding of panels.

With a super enthusiastic cast, headed up by four very strong and talented leads, Guys and Dolls is guaranteed to be a fun night out for all the family. They will be on stage at the Alexandra Theatre until Saturday 2nd July – purchase your tickets here!

Want to read more about BMOS? I had the opportunity to speak to Pat Pryce (Nathan Detroit) earlier this week – read the full interview here!