Set against the New York cityscape with gangsters, gamblers, broads, and the odd missionary, this is a fun, light-hearted romantic comedy that the whole family can enjoy.
Presented by: Blue Fish ProductionsVenue: Schonnel Theatre (Brisbane) Review date: Friday, July 29, 2011
Blue Fish Theatrical is making leaps and bounds with its third production of Guys and Dolls at the Schonnel Theatre in Brisbane. This is one musical I never get sick of seeing. Set against the New York cityscape with gangsters, gamblers, broads, and the odd missionary, this is a fun, light-hearted romantic comedy that the whole family can enjoy. Firstly Miranda Selwood as Miss Adelaide is a joy to watch. Her characterisation is charming and perfectly executed with every moment. Melissa Scheele as Sarah Brown is also faultless with a beautiful rich speaking voice and delightful soprano tone. Tony Campbell as Sky Masterson performed a great rendition of ‘Luck Be a Lady’. It was also good to see Ian Maurice in a cameo role as Lt Brannigan. And special mention goes to Zane C Weber for the perfectly cast role of Nicely Nicely Johnson – always eating, always hilarious. I also have to mention the great job done by the chorus as this tends to lack in some amateur productions. Choreographer Beth Lennon made good use of their best dancers with the Hot Box Dolls tap dancing in the crap game scene and the silhouetted Havana dancing scene was especially clever, with kudos going to the lighting guys for that. However, I do have to mention there were some issues with sound as I always do on opening nights at the Schonnel theatre, and I think that’s all I need to say about that. The only other thing that I was a little disappointed in was the set. I don’t whether it was the colours used or the two-dimensional styling, but it didn’t seem to fit with the rest of the styling for the show. Overall, Blue Fish Theatrical has put on a show to be proud of. Well cast under the direction of Lindsay Fletcher, and musical direction by Julie Whiting whose orchestration is always suburb, Guys and Dolls is a show to put on your mid-year theatrical dance card. Dates: 28 July – 6 August 2011 Booking Information: www.bluefishtheatrical.com.au
Bobbi-Lea Dionysius Bobbi-Lea is AussieTheatre.com's QLD Co-ordinator, writer, reviewer, and reporter. She is also an actor, presenter, and theatre/film producer for Drama Queen Productions in Brisbane. Bobbi-Lea holds a Degree in Music Theatre as well as a Degree in Film & TV, and is currently doing her Masters in Screen Production.