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GUYS AND DOLLS
Ferndown Phoenix Musical Society
Barrington Theatre
Ferndown
October 2005

IF a musical’s success is down to the standard of its principals and chorus, then Phoenix members can definitely hold their heads high. But I’m afraid the dice hasn’t really rolled in their favour when it comes to those interminably long - and sometimes noisy - scene changes, which frequently slow the pace to a crawl. And why does the Mission’s midnight prayer meeting include women when the script only refers to the gamblers?
Maybe I’m rocking the boat though, so let’s concentrate on the positives. For starters, the chorus – which refreshingly includes a good number of young people – sings well and is lively and enthusiastic. And what a great idea to incorporate a genuine Salvation Army band into the action.
Catherine Ruff is exactly right as Sergeant Sarah Brown, who falls for Bible-quoting gambler Sky Masterson, played with real feeling by Michael Leggett, while Syd Young endows marriage-shy Nathan Detroit with a likeable laid-back quality. And Mike Hutchings provides a lovely cameo – and Irish accent – as Arvide Abernathy.
But it is the vivacious and utterly believable Gaynor Adnett who steals most of the honours as the 14 years engaged Miss Adelaide. She simply bubbles over with personality and gives the show a real lift.

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo


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