Seventy-five years on, Guys & Dolls continues to charm and delight. The Handa Opera production on Sydney Harbour is polished, memorable and so much fun. I attended on a fine, still night and it was a privilege to be in the audience. There was a sense of the magical about the evening. Specifically in that setting, the music was quite intoxicating.
With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, gamblers and chorus girls abound in 1940s New York, which is where the plot unfolds. Nestled in among the reprobates – being the former – is a Salvation Army-like organisation, known as Save a Soul Mission. Their job is to rescue as many as they can from the perils of temptation. Mind you, the number of souls they are saving in this part of town is diminishing.
Unbeknown to them, they are facing imminent closure … until a single bet changes all that. It comes about when a skint gambler by the name of Nathan Detroit (Bobby Fox) makes a wager with successful high roller Sky Masterson (Cody Simpson). Detroit needs to raise a quick $1,000, so he can stage an illegal craps game. Thereafter, he intends to make money by taking a cut of each wager placed.
Knowing that Masterson likes placing some quirky bets, Detroit comes up with what he believes to be a sure-fire plan to secure the green folding stuff he needs. And here is the contention: Masterson must take a woman of Detroit’s choosing to dinner in Havana, Cuba. Failure to do so will mean Masterson will forfeit the cash. That might sound straightforward enough, but not when the woman Nathan chooses is the strait-laced sergeant at the Save a Soul Mission, Sarah Brown (Annie Aitken). Soon thereafter Masterson recognises he has his work cut out for him.
In the meantime, Detroit is being lent upon by his remarkably patient fiance, nightclub singer Miss Adelaide (Angelina Thomson). The pair has been engaged for 14 years and he remains in no hurry to change the status quo. She, on the other hand, wants him to give up his errant ways and to put a gold band on her finger. After all, as he learns, to his dismay, she told her mother they got hitched 12 years and now have a brood of kids. Shenanigans abound.
With talent to burn, Handa Opera’s is a triumphant production of Guys & Dolls. With fine acting chops and ear pleasing vocals, Cody Simpson comes across as every bit a smooth operator, in keeping with personality of his character. His opposite number, Annie Aitken, is a superlative soprano with magnificent diction, who transitions Sarah Brown beautifully from standoffish to love struck.
Bobby Fox gives Nathan Detroit plenty of pep and bounce throughout, creating an endearing rogue. Mezzo-Soprano Angelina Thomson has a wonderful presence as his long-suffering partner, so heavily invested in Detroit, notwithstanding his failings. Jason Arrow and Joel Granger are well cast as Detroit’s bumbling and playful sidekicks, Nicely-Nicely Johnson and Benny Southstreet. Naomi Livingstone presents as larger than life as Save a Soul Mission General Matilda B. Cartwight. Frankly, I couldn’t fault the leading cast or the ensemble.
This is a show full of energy and good humour. Time and again, the smart one liners hit the mark. Kelly Abbey’s creative choreography, especially when large numbers flit about the stage, is one of Guys & Dolls greatest strengths. Set designer Brian Thomson has ensured immediate impact, with a surprisingly versatile, extra-large, vintage yellow cab dominating the stage. Props, including dice (in more than one form) and more, are evocative and reflective of the theme. And what would a show worth its salt on Sydney Harbour be without fireworks incorporated into the action?
Jennifer Irwin’s bold, colourful and eye-catching costuming – dapper suits and pretty dresses – transports us back to the era. Direction from Shaun Rennie is strong and assured. There is a great confidence about the offering, which has so many high points. Musical director and supervisor Guy Simpson has a surfeit of lovely material with which to work and is on top of his game. The 26-piece orchestra is white hot.
Bruno Poet’s lighting design elevates the spectacle, for, make no mistake, that is what this musical is, while Jim Atkins’ sound design is spot on. Too often in this form of entertainment, the music can overwhelm the words being sung. The sound mix here shows the way on how it should be done. Three hours, including a 35-minute interval, Opera Australia’s Handa Opera production of Guys & Dolls makes for a very special night out. Please don’t miss it. It is on at Mrs Macquarie’s Point until 20th April, 2025.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Handa Opera’s La Traviata – opera review
- Madama Butterfly (Opera Australia’s Handa Opera) – opera review
- West Side Story (Opera Australia) – theatre review
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
