Guys and Dolls - Koorliny Arts Centre

Reviewed by Jordan D'Arcy

---

Guys and Dolls is a classic golden age musical, created from two short stories by Damon Runyon. It’s quite different to the shows Perth has seen lately, but of quality, as we have come to expect from both this cast and crew, as well as Koorliny Arts Centre.

Director Rp van der Westhuizen has pulled together an impressive cast and crew. Something I felt that was particularly well done was the hustle and bustle of a busy New York Street that opened the show. There were multiple mini ensemble plot lines to watch that were engaging, but did not detract from the important expositional elements. Transitions between scenes were also done well.

Hannah Charlotte is made for golden age musicals, and was beautiful as Sarah Brown. Lochlan Curtis as Sky Masterson provided a nice juxtaposition to Hannah; their relationship on stage absolutely conveyed the chemistry their characters talk about.

Ben Mullings as Nathan Detroit and Jenelle Russo as Miss Adelaide were cute as the mismatched pair.

Jamie Jewell’s rendition of Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat as Nicely-Nicely Johnson was absolutely an audience favourite. Jioji Nawanawa was very good as the other half of the sidekick comedy duo, Benny Southstreet. Jioji also sang all the way through intermission as mid-show entertainment – stunning voice.

The choreography (Connie Wetherilt) was generally effective. Luck Be a Lady was a standout for being very polished. The lighting design by Kat Brieden and Chloe Palliser was fun and helped significantly to set most scenes, as the set (Pear Carr) was multipurpose, and therefore not specifically one place or another.

The band was incredible (nothing less to be expected from Tara and Taui Pinker). It’s a shame that Theatre 1 in the Koorliny Arts Centre does not really allow for the band to be seen and for a large cast to both be visible.

There were some particular elements of this show that I feel need to be brought to attention, in a good way! Costumes and sound mixing often don’t get mentioned unless there’s something wrong with them; I noticed my not noticing of both of these elements about halfway through Act One. Costumes by Lyn Leeder were era-appropriate and very flashy at times. Sound mixing (Jonathan Hoey) was excellent. The cast could be heard, and the band was clear for the entire run.

The pacing may not be for audiences that enjoy a more contemporary musical – this script is definitely one of its era, and although fun, can be slow to get to the point.

Guys and Dolls is a fun, flashy show – congrats cast and crew.

Reviewer Note: Tickets for this show were provided by the theatre company. Jordan has previously worked with some members of this cast and crew.