Guys and Dolls Petroc Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe Review: Jo Wood

WHAT a treat. Petroc's production of Guys and Dolls on the Landmark's spacious stage was just as it should be. Tightly directed, enthusiastic young performers relishing Runyon's sparkling dialogue and some of the best songs to come out of Broadway.

There was a good audience with many young people supporting their friends. Lee Baxendale, musical stager and co-director, has shedloads of experience with musicals and it shone through, particularly in the ensemble numbers.

Top moments were the Havana number, a whirlwind of activity contrasting with stillness; and the adrenaline-filled Crapshooters' Dance, all backed by a brilliantly brassy orchestra with a bold jazz sound.

The look of a show is so vital, and from curtain up we knew this was spot on. Authentic 1950s' style costumes offered bright colours and satin sheen. Every suit was double breasted and the fur coats were real. Specially made and painted scenery was used to its best advantage.

It's almost unfair to single out any of the performers as it truly was anyone's race, but I particularly warmed to the blond and buxom Joanie Slater as Miss Adelaide and her well-known fiancé the hapless Nathan Detroit (Robin Bearman). The pair of two-bit gangsters Nicely Nicely and Benny Southstreet (Sam Cox and Jack Bailey), formed a great double act, very Morecambe and Wise in their Guys and Dolls number. Every one of the crapshooters had a well rounded character to play, although Dexter Newman as Big Jule was hard to resist.

The plot centres around the gambler Sky Masterson and his attempt to seduce Salvation Army girl Sarah Brown. Alex Ely as Sky was so self assured you feel he could carry any show, and Licha Parkhouse as Sarah had a fine voice and was no mean mover. However it was a group that made the company really shine: the Hot Box girls, Salvation Army soldiers, and every single New Yorker gave it all they had, and can justly be proud of a stonkingly good show.