Guys And Dolls

Chichester Festival have once again woven their musical magic, and recreated a truly great classic Broadway masterpiece. Packed from the get-go with great numbers and a superb plot, they have cast a superlative team that delivers on almost every count. Peter Polycarpou is hilarious as Nathan Detroit, but sadly does not get enough numbers to showcase that great voice. Clare Foster has the sweetest voice and captures the divided Sarah with charm, and James Parker is equally sharp yet vulnerable as Sky Masterson. Carlos Acosta’s choreography is full of energy, but at times lacks form, and seems not to take advantage of that wonderful apron stage. It does however come fully together for the show-stopping ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat’, and thank god for that, as Harry Morrison as Nicely Nicely makes the number his very own and draws the show to its climax with comic skill and vocal ease.

But the star of the show has to be Sophie Thompson, who is every diminutive inch the perfect Miss Adelaide, feisty and frail in equal part, and what a talented vocal performance she gives, not simply belting out the songs but milking them for every last drop of comedy and musicality. This show sees CFT at the top of their game and again we can only await the West End transfer it so deserves.

Chichester Festival Theatre, 21 September 2014
Rating:
Andrew Kay