Guys and Dolls at the Edinburgh Playhouse Review
Guys and Dolls
Edinburgh Playhouse
12-16 April 2016
Reviewed by Emily Crombie
Guys and Dolls, subtitled A Musical Fable of Broadway is running at Edinburgh Playhouse from Tuesday 12th until Saturday 16th April. It is primarily based on The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown, the work of Damon Runyon and the show has won awards in every decade since it opened in Broadway the 1950.
Set in New York, gangster land in the 1920/30’s, the show opens with a busy gangland scene, offset by the Save A Soul Mission band lead by Sarah Brown, played by Anna O’Byrne. Sweet Sarah is lead astray and ultimately falls in love with Sky Masterton, (Richard Fleeshman) a committed gambler. This runs in parallel to story of Nathan (Maxwell Caulfield) and his 14-year engagement to Miss Adelaide (Louise Dearman).
The singing was amazing; Anna O’Byrne has a stunning, beautiful voice although the whole cast was faultless. The choreography was uplifting and carried the show. For me the highlight of the show was Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat. Jack Edwards as Nicely-Nicely Johnson was very funny.
The staging very much captured the era. The adverts in lights and the use of lighting throughout added to the atmosphere and setting.
The show is a long one at two hours forty-five minutes (including the interval) although you will not be aware as the show is fast moving and keeps the audience engrossed.
Edinburgh Playhouse is located at the east end of Princes Street on Greenside Place. It is a short walk from the railway station and there are multi-storey carparks close by. The theatre itself is beautifully ornate and the seating is comfortable.
Guys and Dolls is on tour until the end of July and have dates spanning the length and breadth of the country.
Guys and Dolls is a show of contrasts- saints- sinners, right- wrong but love overcomes these differences!
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £15 to £49.50 (plus £4 transaction fee).
Guys and Dolls is at the Edinburgh Playhouse until 16 April 2016. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 3014.
Edinburgh Playhouse, 18–22 Greenside Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA | 0844 871 3014
