I’ve launched a brand-new weekly podcast, called ShenTen, in which I will countdown my personal top tens in different theatrical categories.
Best of the Blogs: Cyrano de Bergerac, A Taste Of Honey, The Boy Friend & More
In our continuing series, our editor Lisa Martland picks out some of her Top Picks from the last week of theatre including Love London Love Culture’s delight at watching Jamie Lloyd’s razor sharp West End production of Cyrano de Bergerac.
‘Another standout is the wonderful choreography’: GUYS & DOLLS – Sheffield ★★★★★
Each year I always think Sheffield Theatres can’t excel the previous Christmas production, but once again I have been proved wrong with Guys and Dolls.
‘I think this might be a very special version’: Alex Young is loving being part of Guys & Dolls at Sheffield Crucible
Actress Alex Young chats to Emma Clarendon about starring as Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.
‘Large group numbers energised the space quite thrillingly’: GUYS & DOLLS LIVE IN CONCERT – Royal Albert Hall ★★★★
Gamblers, gangsters and nightclub singers mingle together in 1950s New York in Guys & Dolls, Frank Loesser, Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows’ ‘musical fable of Broadway’, which returned to London in concert form for just three performances at the Royal Albert Hall.
What’s Debbie looking forward to in October 2018?
It honestly doesn’t let up. At all. After an Edinburgh-focused August, and a ‘keep myself busy at all costs’ September (mostly to avoid the hell that is rush hour transport), October has rolled in, bursting at the seams because there is too much to do.
‘Sensational revival‘: GUYS & DOLLS – Kilworth ★★★★★
For the show to soar, all that is needed is a faultless cast – thus the greatest plaudits in this production belong to director/choreographer Nick Winston and his casting director Anne Vosser for having assembled some of the nation’s finest musical theatre talent to create this sensational revival.
2017 Regional theatre recap
Much of my ‘touring’ has been concentrated in Bristol and Chichester; there are a few other UK venues to add to the list, as well as some from my week in New York, of course.
‘A bold re-envisioning’: GUYS & DOLLS – Manchester
Michael Buffong’s reinterpretation of Guys and Dolls, a co-production between the Royal Exchange and Talawa Theatre, is just that, a bold re-envisioning of the classic musical that consequently comes up with something different.
GUYS & DOLLS – Manchester ★★★★★
This Guys and Dolls is the perfect feel-good Christmas production. Playing out in-the-round on the Royal Exchange’s iconic stage, you’ll be left with a spring in your step and a smile on your face long after leaving the theatre. This is a performance that should not be missed.
NEWS: Manchester’s Royal Exchange announces its striking Winter Season 2017
Manchester’s Royal Exchange announces its striking Autumn and Winter Season 2017 under Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom, who brings together distinctive theatre makers from across the UK to make work that celebrates the similarity found in our differences,
My answers to that musical meme on Facebook
Musical I Love: Guys and Dolls – much of this choice is down to the fact that it is set in the era that I would have most liked to have lived in. But it also has some absolutely classic songs that I find myself singing (when alone of course!)
NEWS: Guys & Dolls confirms West End closure on 21 Aug, Full statement
GUYS AND DOLLS has posted closing notices at the West End’s Phoenix Theatre for 21 August 2016, ahead of plans for an international tour. It had been booking in London until 7 January 2017.
GUYS & DOLLS – Touring
This lively production of a classic musical is equally a delight to watch and to listen to, thanks to the wonderful cast performances, including Richard Fleeshman and Louise Dearman.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Is Rebel Wilson a worthy Adelaide in Guys & Dolls?
On hearing the news that Rebel Wilson was joining the London cast of Guys and Dolls, many people were extremely happy. But this writer a little bit dubious – could she pull the character off? Here’s a run-down of what critics have been saying. Wilson continues playing Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls at the West End’s Phoenix Theatre until 21 August 2016.
Half-year round-up: The 2016 shows I’ve loved so far
Here is a list of a few things that Love London Love Culture have enjoyed seeing this year so far… including, still running, Guys & Dolls, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, In the Heights and Aladdin.
Half-year round-up: The 2016 shows I’ve loved so far
Here is a list of a few things that Love London Love Culture have enjoyed seeing this year so far… including, still running, Guys & Dolls, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, In the Heights and Aladdin.
NEWS: Simon Lipkin plays Nathan to Rebel Wilson’s Adelaide in Guys & Dolls
Guys and Dolls today announces that Simon Lipkin will be joining the West End cast for a limited time at the Phoenix Theatre to play the part of Nathan Detroit from Tuesday 28 June until Sunday 21 August 2016. He will play opposite the award-winning Hollywood actor Rebel Wilson who will play the part of Miss Adelaide.
BOOK REVIEW: It’s All Going Wonderfully Well – Growing up with Bob Hoskins
Richard Eyre, in one of the bravest and most visionary casting decisions ever, chose Hoskins to play Frank Loesser’s low-life Nathan Detroit in what was to be the National Theatre’s groundbreaking and first ever musical production, Guys and Dolls. The production scooped countless awards and nominations and is still talked about to this day. With his three fellow leads and a faultless company of actors and creatives, Hoskins learned to tap-dance, polished up his singing and proved that his indomitable Cockney charm could work as well on Broadway as in Bethnal Green. Born in 1983, some months after her dad had moved on from the show’s cast, one of Rosa Hoskins’ fondly spoken regrets is that she had never seen her dad’s take on Nathan Detroit.
GUYS & DOLLS – Touring
Made popular by the MGM 1955 film starring Marlon Brandon, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra and Vivian Blaine this show is undoubtedly in my top three all time favourite shows. Consequently I’ve seen many stage versions and some with equal star billing as the motion picture which started my love affair with it. So did this fresh touring company live up to my high expectations?