Guys and Dolls dazzles: A celebration of Musical Theatre at Shrewsbury

The talented company of this year’s whole school musical provided the Salopian community with an hour and a half of unadulterated joy in the penultimate week of term.

‘Guys and Dolls’ has been described as the ‘perfect musical comedy’ – the characters are loveable, the setting is glamorous, and every song is (to quote the cast) ‘an absolute banger’. The story is set in Prohibition-era New York, where an earnest group of missionaries attempt to persuade the drunks, gamblers and showgirls of Broadway to repent their sins.

The success of the show is hugely dependent upon its four leads, three of whom were making their debuts in Shrewsbury musical theatre. The missionaries are led by the angelic Sarah Brown, beautifully played by Hettie S (EDH, UVI). Hettie’s soaring, crystal-clear soprano perfectly captured Sarah’s romantic idealism as she attempts to ‘convert Broadway’ all by herself. Sarah finds herself questioning the dogma she has always clung to when she meets – and falls for – a charismatic gambler, Sky Masterson. Toby H (Ch, LVI) brought a laid-back charm to the role of Sky, delivering classics such as ‘Luck be a Lady’ and ‘I’ll know’ with great confidence and panache. New entrant Tilly C (MSH, LVI) was wonderful as Miss Adelaide, the long-suffering fiancée of the feckless and commitment-phobic Nathan Detroit (Ed K, Rt, U). The scenes between Ed and Tilly were the comic highlights of the performance, demonstrating superb characterisation as well as great musicality.

The show is also full of great cameo roles: Will O’H (Ch, LVI), Reggie B (SH, V) and Tommy G (SH, V) were fabulous as Nathan’s henchmen, constantly on the look-out for a quick buck. Tommy’s brilliant performance of ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat’ was an absolute show-stopper, whilst Lilith P (QEH, UVI) was really touching as Sarah’s grandmother, advising her to follow her heart at all costs.

However, the true star of the show is its ensemble: the gamblers, cops, missionaries and showgirls who make up the community of Broadway. This is the largest cast we have had in recent years, and it was wonderful to see so much up-and-coming talent, including Daphne W (EDH, IV) as a very intense Agatha and Hugo P (SH, IV) as the most menacing Big Julie ever seen on the Ashton stage.

‘Guys and Dolls’ has one of the most recognisable scores of the musical theatre canon, and it was a joy to hear it played live by our wonderful band of students and staff. After many years of playing for Shrewsbury shows, this marks the final performance of Vicky Kirk, who will be retiring this year, and I would like to thank her for all of her wonderful contributions to the theatre.

As ever, I am hugely grateful for the talent, hard work and commitment of both the students and staff that I get to work with. Richard Robbins, more usually spotted in chapel, was lured over to the dark side for his first foray as Musical Director, whilst Sian Stanhope worked her usual magic as Choreographer. The creative team was superbly supported by our technical crew of Bradley Fenton, Stuart Myles and Maisie Cutter, who make every show look and sound amazing.

Dr Helen Brown

Deputy Head (Co-curricular) and Director of Drama