Guys and Dolls tells of con-man Nathan Detroit’s efforts to find new life for his illegal, but notorious, crap game. When their trusty venue is found out by the police, Nathan has to find a new home for his crap game quickly - but he doesn’t have the dough to secure the one location he finds. Enter Sky Masterson, a high-rolling gambler willing to take on any honest bet with a high enough reward attached. Nathan bets Sky that he can’t take the “doll” of Nathan’s choosing to Havana, Cuba, with him on a date. When Sky agrees to the bet, Nathan chooses uptight Evangelist Sergeant Sarah Brown, head of Broadway’s Save-a-Soul Mission. Sky thinks he’s been duped, but he’s in for even more of a surprise when his efforts to woo Sarah are so successful that he falls in love with her himself!

Guys and Dolls takes us from the bustle of Times Square, to the dance clubs of Havana, to the sewers of New York City as it demonstrates the great lengths to which a guy will go when he truly falls in love with a “doll.” Guys and Dolls features some of Frank Loesser’s most memorable tunes, including the hilarious “Adelaide’s Lament”, the romantic “I’ve Never Been in Love Before”, the exuberant “If I Were a Bell”, and the classic “Luck Be a Lady”.

NODA REVIEW

Date: 13th November 2025

Society: Saffron Walden Musical Theatre Company

Venue: Saffron Walden Town Hall

Type of Production: Youth Production

Director: Adam Bonner

Musical Director: Paul Garner

Choreographer: Siobhan Austin-Guest

Producer: Erica Redfern

We were warmly greeted by front of house and took our seats in the company of President Maureen Gypps.

Guys and Dolls, full of colourful characters and featuring Frank Loesser’s terrific score is one of my favourite musicals and so, after taking my seat and observing the amazing set, I sat back ready to enjoy what was in store and boy was I in for a treat.

The story of Nathan Detroit looking for new premises for his notorious crap game, is the main theme running through the show. It takes a young actor with considerable talent to capture the essence of this character and Theo Ogbhemhe Smith absolutely nailed it and gave a terrific performance. Playing opposite Theo was Mia Sartin as Miss Adelaide, nightclub singer and Nathan’s fiancée of 14 years! This was a lovely mature performance. I liked the controlled delivery of her dialogue and her powerful singing voice really did justice to her vocals.

Sky Masterson is the romantic lead, taking on a bet that he can’t take Sarah Brown from the Save-A-Soul mission on a date to Cuba. Oscar Riley and Amelie Mandl gave strong performances as the gambler and the girl from the mission who goes with him to Havana and gets ever so slightly tipsy. Their vocals were beautifully sung and at times quite mesmerising, including the classic “I’ve Never Been in Love Before”.

Congratulations to all the principals including Olly Rutterford as Nicely Nicely Johnson leading the company with “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” Max Hutchinson as Benny Southgate, Jed Sandeman Shakespeare as Harry the Horse, Fred Savill as Big Jule, Orlando Drake who doubled as Angie the Ox and the Hot Box MC. Lieutenant Brannigan was well played by Cameron Bower. Giorgia Iorio was Mimi and Imogen Clements was Agatha. Congratulations to Albie Martin as the drunk. A great cameo role.

“The Oldest Established” was well sung by Nathan, Nicely Nicely, Benny, Harry and the Crapshooters and featured some good harmonies.

A lovely performance by Tamsin Weekes as Arvide Abernathy. Her solo, “More I Could Not Wish You” was beautifully sung. Well done to all in the Mission Band.

The Hot Box Dancers were amazing and really did justice to Siobhan Austin-Guest’s lovely choreography. Very well done to you all.

Congratulations to George Alexander and his team for the incredible set, well designed down to the last detail and thank you for inviting us for a behind the scenes look after the show. The orchestra, conducted by MD Paul Garner and this time located in a different part of the building, once again provided excellent accompaniment with good balance of sound.

The production was well directed by Adam Bonner who really brought out the best in his young cast. The costume plot had been well devised by Rachel Betts. Excellent sound and lighting were in the safe hands of Simon Bates

My congratulations go to everyone involved in this lovely production.