Irving Stage Company brings the Broadway classic Guys and Dolls to the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
Irving Stage Company returns to the Theatre Royal next month with its production of the legendary Broadway musical Guys and Dolls. Opening on Tuesday, November 5, this romantic comedy set on the streets of Manhattan is the show that will see out Irving’s 65th anniversary year with a bang.
Sian Couture, Irving’s artistic director and the director and choreographer of the show, said: “Guys and Dolls is as fresh and lively as ever, with a hilarious script, touching love story, fabulous dance numbers and one of the greatest scores ever written. It is a true classic, never out of style or fashion despite having premiered on Broadway almost exactly 74 years ago, nine years before Irving came into being.
“The exciting challenge for us is that there are always new things to explore, while preserving the heart of these great shows. It is the same with Irving. We have welcomed new members to our cast, creative team and crew, alongside those who - we are delighted to say – remain with us. This is how we develop our company for the future, and we are so lucky that there is so much heart and talent in our community.”
Guys and Dolls is set in the 1950s in the neon-lit streets of Manhattan, and drawn from characters created by American writer Damon Runyon. He invented a comic world of gamblers and showgirls, with a unique midtown Manhattan regional slang. The stories were turned into a musical in 1950 with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. A 1955 film followed, and the show has been revived numerous times, including the current award-winning production in London.
Sergeant Sarah Brown (Katie Woodhouse) and the Save a Soul Mission are trying – and failing - to lead local sinners away from drink and gambling. Meanwhile, Nathan Detroit (Chris Strahm), local hustler, is also trying - and also failing - to find a safe place to host his famous floating dice game under the noses of the police.
Suave gambler Sky Masterson (Matt Bendall) arrives in town, never known to turn down a bet, and finds himself tricked by Nathan into persuading straitlaced Sarah to go on a date. For Nathan, the challenge is his showgirl fiancée of 14 years, Miss Adelaide (Emily Hunt), who has run out of patience with him.
The live orchestra is led by Musical Director Jonathan Gibbs, performing the score which includes Luck Be a Lady, Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat, I’ve Never Been in Love Before, and If I Were a Bell.
Sian added: “Putting on a show is a team effort and I am so grateful that we have such commitment from every individual on our team. Our backstage crew are the unsung heroes who give their time and their talent year after year. We could not do our shows without them, and with the whole team, I can’t wait to be back at the beautiful Theatre Royal and bringing this musical to audiences.”
As always, the man behind the lens for this photo session was Andy Abbott, who has been a tireless supporter of Irving for decades. Members of the company have grown up being captured on camera by Andy, himself a veteran of the very earliest days of Suffolk Young People’s Theatre. Sian Couture said: “We consider Andy one of our company and are so grateful to him. He gives us his time and his talent, and as well as helping us publicise our shows, he records memories of productions we can all treasure.”
by Christian Jenner
Photos by Andy Abbott
♦ Guys and Dolls is at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds from Tuesday, November 5 to Saturday, November 9, 7.30pm evenings, 2pm Saturday matinée. Call 01284 769505 or visit www.theatreroyal.org
