Guys and Dolls at Milton Keynes Theatre Review
Guys and Dolls
Milton Keynes Theatre
14-18 June 2016
www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
Reviewed by Jayne Wiggins
As always we were running late to this venue, but were pleasantly surprised to find a free parking space immediately. We were attending to see the musical Guys and Dolls, starring Richard Fleeshman, Maxwell Caulfield and Louise Dearman.
The theatre is an impressive building in the middle of a large shopping complex, clean and bright outside, welcoming and friendly as we entered. Very friendly staff welcomed us through the door and directed us to the Piano Bar, – a classy bar with live piano music to entertain us as we waited for the auditorium to open. The ambience in the entire theatre was warm and friendly, a welcoming feel in every part of the theatre. We were served drinks in the piano bar but my husband also used the main bar during the interval where he was served very quickly. The queues to the toilets were short on the first floor, though I cannot speak for other areas of the theatre. My only complaint would be that what is described as the ‘theatre district’ had very few restaurants open after 10.30. We could have had an excellent meal at the nearby Chinese – where we have eaten in the past. But we wanted TGI Fridays which was closed at 10.30.
We were seated higher in the theatre than before but still had excellent views of the show. I spoke to the audience around me, quite an elderly audience for a classic Broadway show – there was an important comment about the theatre which I had never noticed before. There is no central aisle (this is called continental seating and a lot of new build theatres have this layout). People have to stand for a long longer to let other members through. On noticing this I was very concerned at how an evacuation would occur in an emergency. There is no central aisle and no space in the front aisles to allow emergency access. In a theatre as large as this – one which can be raise to increase capacity – I feel they could afford to make a central aisle for safety reasons (editor’s note: Although this means that the rows are longer, it does not compromise the safety of audiences and meet all fire and emergency evacuation standards and are tested a minimum of 6 times per annum with the support of emergency services).
But the show – WOW! Spectacular! A little piece of Broadway hit Milton Keynes this evening! The show is set in Broadway, and did not disappoint! I must be the only person reviewing musical theatre who has NEVER seen a performance of Guys and Dolls on stage or television.
Guys and Dolls is a musical set in 1920/30’s New York involving gangsters, easy money, gambling and a love story between 2 couples.
Richard Fleeshman plays the part of Sky Masterson, a gambler who will bet on almost anything. Maxwell Caulfield plays the part of Nathan Detroit, who runs an illegal crap game and Louise Dearman plays the part of Miss Adelaide, the love interest who has had a 14 year engagement with Nathan and a nightclub singer.
When Nathan needs a new venue for his dice game but is short of funds he makes a bet with the high-rolling gambler Sky Masterson. The bet is that Sky can’t take a woman of Nathan’s choosing on a date. When the bet is accepted the lucky woman (or “doll”) chosen is Sarah Brown (Anna O’Byrne), a church missionary. Fearing he will lose the bet, Sky ends up falling in love with Sarah. Meanwhile Miss Adelaide is starting to wonder if Nathan will ever marry her.
Packed with musical numbers when ‘Sit down you’re rocking the boat’ sounded out across the theatre, the audience went crazy! Amazing performances all round, not one single performer could I call out.
The choreographer (Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta) however MUST be recognised. The dances and choreography was superb! The attention to detail was second to none, from the highly polished stage floor which reflected the amazing lighting, to the well-choreographed dances.
There is NOTHING I can fault in this show. An amazing evening’s entertainment.
Thoroughly deserving of a 5/5.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £15 to £49.50 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
Guys and Dolls is at Milton Keynes Theatre until 18 June 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 8717652.
Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK9 3NZ
