Guys and Dolls
Details
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2nd December 2017 – 3rd February 2018
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A Royal Exchange Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company co-production
A musical fable of Broadway based on the story and characters of Damon Runyon
Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser
Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows
Directed by Michael Buffong
Matinee Shows: 2.30pm
Evening Shows: 7.30pm
Run time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Press Night: Wednesday 6 December 2017, 7.30pm
Captioned Show: Thursday 14 December 2017, 7.30pm
Audio-Described Show: Saturday 16 December 2017, 2.30pm
Relaxed Show: Wednesday 3 January 2018, 2.30pm
BSL Show: Wednesday 24 January 2018, 7.30pm
More information about the Royal Exchange's access facilities - here
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Overview
Guys and Dolls is a Royal Exchange Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company co-production, performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited
DUE TO INCREDIBLE DEMAND, GUYS AND DOLLS PERFORMED IN AN EXTENDED RUN AT THE ROYAL EXCHANGE, MANCHESTER UNTIL 3 FEBRUARY 2018
Guys and Dolls: The UK's first all-Black cast
Director Michael Buffong transports the smash-hit musical Guys and Dolls up-town to 1939 Harlem in the UK’s first all-Black cast production of this iconic show.
Based on Damon Runyon’s off-beat stories, Guys And Dolls is a musical romantic comedy involving the unlikeliest of pairings. Set in a world where a roll of the dice solves even the most awkward disputes, will the gamble pay off where love is involved?
Guys and Dolls bursts into seductive life with unforgettable songs including LUCK BE A LADY, SIT DOWN YOU'RE ROCKING THE BOAT, and the irresistibly infectious title number - which all come together to create the perfect celebratory night out.
Guys and Dolls is co-produced by the Royal Exchange Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company – the UK’s primary Black led touring theatre company.
Ray Fearon is the charming Nathan Detroit, and leads a talented cast which includes Ashley Zhanghazha, Abiona Omounua and Lucy Vandi. The re-imagined Guys and Dolls is developed with the award winning hip-hop dancer and choreographer Kenrick ‘H20’ Sandy.
Michael Buffong is the Artistic Director of Talawa Theatre Company. His credits for the Royal Exchange Theatre include the critically acclaimed KING LEAR, ALL MY SONS (with Don Warrington) and A RAISIN IN THE SUN. Other theatre credits include: GOD’S PROPERTY (Talawa Theatre Company, Soho Theatre and the Albany); THE SERPENT’S TOOTH (Talawa Theatre Company and Almeida Theatre); MOON ON A RAINBOW SHAWL (Royal National Theatre).
Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy is Co-Founder & Co-Artistic Director of Boy Blue Entertainment, Associate Artists of the Barbican, and one of the top choreographers and performers in the UK urban, commercial and theatrical scenes. Kenrick’s credits are extensive and include theatre, TV and film, both nationally and internationally. BBE’s most recent work, BLAK WHYTE GRAY, is nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production.
Guys And Dolls
The Times
★★★★ "This Harlem-set production of the New York musical is terrific from the get-go with huge style and verve."
The Observer
★★★★ "Relocated to Harlem, this ... classic musical retains a threat of violence under a cartoon-bright exterior"
The Guardian
★★★★ "Harlem-set version captivates with energy and charm."
The Cast
Ray Fearon as Nathan Detroit
Ashley Zhangazha as Sky Masterson
Abiona Omonua as Sarah Brown
Lucy Vandi as Miss Adalaide
Fela Lufadeju as Benny Southwest
Javar La’Trail Parker as Rusty Charlie
Trevor A Toussaint as Arvide Abernathy
Chelsey Emery as Agatha
Jaime Tait as Calvin
T’Shan Williams as Martha
Ewen Cummins as Lieutenant Brannigan
Kurt Kansley as Harry The Horse
Darren Charles as Society Max
Nathanael Campbell as Liverlips Louis
Toyan Thomas-Browne as Moe
Evonnee Bentley-Holder as Mimi
Melanie Marshall as General Matilda B Cartwright
Ako Mitchell as Nicely Nicely Johnson
Joe Speare as Big Jule
Koko Basigara as Allison
Danielle Kassaraté as Angie The Ox
Meet the cast of Guys and Dolls
Creative Team
DIRECTOR Michael Buffong
DESIGNER Soutra Gilmour
MUSICAL SUPERVISOR Nigel Lilley
MUSICAL DIRECTOR Mark Aspinall
CHOREOGRAPHER Kenrick Sandy
LIGHTING DESIGNER Johanna Town
SOUND DESIGNER Richard Brooker
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Nicola Miles-Wildin
ASSISTANT CHOREOGRAPHER Yolanda Newsome
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Anthony Ekundayo Lennon (as part of the Artistic Director Leadership Programme)
Michael Buffong
“For me, storytelling is as important as the music in this production of Guys and Dolls. The interaction between Sky Masterson and Sarah Brown is very like that between Beatrice and Benedick in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, and I want to get that across along with the great jazz music, singing and movement which will be such an inseparable part of this show.”
Upstaged Manchester
★★★★★ " ... a Christmas cracker of a show ... lively and glamorous ... you’ll be left with a spring in your step and a smile on your face long after leaving the theatre."
The Reviews Hub
★★★★ "Enjoyable and entertaining throughout."
Northern Soul
★★★★ " ... bursting with such infectious dynamism and style that I defy anyone not to emerge with a great beaming smile on their face and joy in their hearts."
Manchester Evening News
★★★★ "... get swept up in the magic and glamour of the heartwarming musical"
