Review: Guys and Dolls, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

It may have been a Hot Box outside, but inside the theatre the audience were primed to experience all the razzmatazz of 1950s New York, and they were not disappointed.

It's not often that you have nothing to critique after a performance. But this show really blew the audience away with a series of slick musical numbers combined with the impressive choreography of renowned artists Carlos Acosta and Andrew Wright.

See also:

• Interview: Louise Dearman speaks ahead of Guys and Dolls shows in Woverhampton

• Guys and Dolls rolls into Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre with Coronation Street's Richard Fleeshman

Louise Dearman as Miss Adelaide was the stand out hit of the show, giving us authentic, heart-felt renditions of 'Adelaide's Lament' and 'Sue Me' as well as the feisty, raucous 'Take Back Your Mink'. Her sincere range of emotional portrayals did not take away from the comedy of her character, waiting endlessly for a legitimate proposal from the permanently apologetic Maxwell Caulfield as Nathan Detroit.

Richard Fleeshman demonstrated why his credits include composing songs with Sir Elton John. Taking on the role in which Marlon Brando became the quintessential Sky Masterson, Fleeshman took the role and made it all his own; a smooth talking, self-assured winner who lost his mind (and heart) over a girl who could do much better.

Bethany Lindsell as sergeant Sarah Brown was a convincing young missionary swept up in a whirlwind romance. 'If I Were a Bell' brought the magic and naivety of young love alive for the audience, caught up in the commotion and almost death-defying dance routines of the Havana.

Jack Edwards as Nicely-Nicely Johnson's rendition of 'Sit down You're Rocking the Boat' was also particularly toe-tapping, as was his comedic performance alongside Mark Sangster as the snappy Benny Southstreet.

Everyone in this production really gave it all they'd got, and it showed. In fact, it's difficult to even pin point the best moment of the show, because the standard was so high throughout.

Perhaps it was the moment Sky finally admitted that he loved Sarah, or the eureka moment Adelaide realised her cold was psychosomatic. Perhaps it was when Melanie Marshall as General Matilda B Cartwright joined in song with Nicely-Nicely or when Danielle Stephen wowed us with her Havana Diva high-kick. Whatever the moment, wherever you looked on stage there were some world-class talent treading the boards ensuring that last night, from 7.30pm was really our 'Time of Day.'

Guys and Dolls runs until July 23 at the Grand Theatre, Lichfield Street. For tickets, visit www.grandtheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01902 42 92 12.

By Jessican Labhart