Lancing Shines in Guys & Dolls

Thank you to our two pupil reviewers for their fabulous reviews of our recent production of Guys & Dolls:

This ambitious production of Guys & Dolls was full of energy and charm, imbued with a clear love for the classic 1950 material. From opening number to curtain call, it showcased the remarkable talent of the entire company.  

An incredible range of talent was evident in the lead performances. Piper S’s Miss Adelaide captured comedic spark and inner turmoil. Pitch-perfect accent and strong vocal ability combined to make Adelaide exciting, larger-than-life; a softness provided dynamic. This was an unforgettable portrayal – we craved Piper’s presence. Adelaide’s long-time fiancé, Nathan Detroit, is a driving force of the plot, bringing warmth, wit and charm to his scenes. Albie T’s portrayal encompassed a wide variety of facial expressions paired with excellent comedic timing, engaging his audience at every turn. He handled his musical moments with chutzpah, showcasing his versatility. A standout performance.

Grace H’s convincing portrayal of Sarah Brown brought warmth and likeability to the role, creating an enjoyable, subtle performance that complemented the brash, assertive nature of Harlan E’s Sky Masterson. Confident, charismatic, he commanded the stage, balancing conviction with a believable emotional shift to vulnerability. These emotionally complex characters were interesting and exciting to follow.

Monty T’s joyous Nicely-Nicely, Tom C’s wise-guy Benny, Josh CJ’s hoodlum Harry and Beau F’s cigar-chomping Big Jule were sublime, larger than life renderings whose company we enjoyed scene after scene, song after song. Ditto Franci B’s balshy Brannigan, Ciara H’s zealous (and coquettish) General Cartwright and Hilmi M’s gentle, earnest Arvide. 

The ensemble worked seamlessly to create a strong collective that proved to be the backbone of the show. From filling the hotbox with dance and song, shooting craps, marching through the New York streets or taking the audience on a journey to Havana, they created a living world that felt both dynamic and cohesive. Their individual commitment to character added layers of humour, personality, and atmosphere to every scene. They made the show complete.

Musically, the production excelled. Animated by a red-hot band under Miss Harlow’s musical direction, the cast presented complex harmonies (“Oldest Established”, “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat), solo and unison singing. The Hotbox Dancers gave enthusiastic performances in both “A Bushel and a Peck” and “Take Back Your Mink” with sharp comedic timing and synchronized singing, showing impressive versatility. 

Adelaide and Sarah’s “Marry the Man Today” was sung confidently, displaying contrast between the two characters. Their harmonies leaned into the song’s conversational style; the simple staging kept our focus on the two leads.

“Luck Be a Lady” captured the intense dynamic and the commitment to each individual character was obvious. Overall, something that remained constant throughout all musical numbers was the cast’s ability to sing in character. The singers never sacrificed vocal quality and always served the story.

All choreography was executed with precision and enthusiasm, especially in the tightly synchronized numbers of “The Crapshooters’ Ballet”, “Havana” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat”. Dancers’ enthusiasm was palpable and encouraged the audience’s rapturous applause. The intense movement was perfectly executed, with synchronicity maintained throughout. Bravo to Rachel and Abi!

Whether it was Arvide Abernathy’s compelling speeches or Nicely-Nicely Johnson’s moments of comedic genius, Lancing College’s production of Guys & Dolls resonated with each individual audience member far beyond the final curtain. The success of the show is a testament to the hard work of each individual cast member and the passionate direction by Mr Smith, who inspired the spirited storytelling. With standout acting, dancing and singing, the production encompassed the sense of community that remains a strong theme within Guys & Dolls. When talent, passion and teamwork come together, even a well-worn classic can feel fresh and vibrant, leaving the production to be remembered for the joy it brought to all who watched. 

Annie H – Lower Sixth

I was very lucky to get tickets for the opening night of Guys & Dolls and was by no means disappointed. From the moment I heard the fantastic band playing the overture I knew I was in for a treat. The set was simple yet perfect. Stage left showcased a tall, red newspaper stand used occasionally during crowd scenes, stage left was mainly clear, apart from chairs and a table which arrived during the first act to herald the performance of Adelaide. To top it off though? The neon blue and pink sign boldly displaying the words Guys & Dolls in bright colours, making it immediately clear what everyone was here for, as soon as the curtains parted.

The quality of acting, singing and dancing was outstanding. Immediately, we were greeted with a perfect tableau of Broadway life, in which it was made known to the audience that every actor knew their character and part in the story, which greatly enhanced the production; everyone knew what they were there for, and you could immediately feel the sense of teamwork and togetherness on stage. I would say what impressed me most was the choreography. Everyone was in time and together, and you could tell that many hours of repetitive practice really paid off in that moment, it was brilliant. There were an incredible number of songs, dances and timing to remember. Especially thanks to standout performances from the lead characters, Nathan and Adelaide, the professionalism from the cast was incredible, and the brilliantly used lighting and sound just really capped off a superbly managed, directed and performed musical. Everyone who was a part of it made the show fun and an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to get to see.

Ryley G – Third Form