Guys and Dolls
Old Fire Station, 02-13.07.02

Sands Theatre Arts School presented an enthusiastic and colourful musical at the Old Fire Station on Tuesday. This amateur production of "Guys and Dolls" (the musical fable of broadway based on the story and characters of Damon Runyon) looked like "Grease" meets gangster New York. Lots of good jazz music and a cabaret atmosphere surrounded a sentimental love story between some all-American 1950s Guys and Dolls.

The well-choreographed dances and strong singing voices made this performance a spectacle to watch. There were some strong solo singers, particularly Nathan Detroit and Sky Masterson. The larger-than-life, cardboard cut-out characters created a a pantomime atmosphere at times, and the production as a whole is good family entertainment. The cast made good use of space onstage and looked stunning in their varied costumes. The lighting (which features strobe effects) and the band were both slick and professional and provided excellent moody atmospheres for the action. The colourful backdrops of American-style shops (including "Save A Soul Mission", "Barbers" and "Mindys") added colour and glamour to the performance.

Despite a rather slow-moving story line, the dancing and action is built up well around the basic plot, and the story is relatively clear and easy to follow. The grand finale of tap and West Side Story-style street dancing was a satisfying finish for the musical, and a good satire on the way Guys and Dolls behave in love.
With lots of comical scenes and laughs, and a slick dialogue between characters which keeps the action flowing, this is easy watching, light-hearted entertainment to keep the whole family on its toes.

Sarah Vanstone, 02.07.02