The beloved musical ‘Guys and Dolls’ is originally based on Damon Runyon’s short stories which celebrated a world of Broadway that grew out of the Prohibition era. The storyline follows the exploits of Nathan Detroit as he searches for a location to run his illegal dice game, all while dealing with the persistent demands of his fiancée, Miss Adelaide. Meanwhile, the gambler Sky Masterson takes on a seemingly impossible bet to woo the righteous mission worker, Sarah Brown. The story revolves around high-stakes gambling, unlikely romances, and the search for redemption and love.
Within seconds of entering the hall, I was immediately transported back in time to 1950s New York City. The extravagant set design immersed the audience into the play entirely, from the bustling streets of New York, all the way to the spirited bars of Havana.
The sheer talent of the students involved in the play was incredible, with each and every member of the cast showcasing an aptitude for theatre. The vocals of the cast were astonishing; from the heartfelt ‘I’ve Never Been in Love Before’ to the humorous undertones of ‘Adelaide’s Lament’. Furthermore, the choreography of each musical number was exquisite such as ‘A Bushel and a Peck’, which engrossed the audience into the glamorous nature of the Hot Box Nightclub.
While acknowledging the talent of those on stage, it is also important to appreciate every person involved behind the scenes such as the costume and props team, the tech and sound team, and the stagehands. The costume design allowed the atmosphere of 1920s New York to be woven into the very fabric of the play as the story unfolded. Each costume was intricately detailed and masterfully sewn. The tech team’s insightful use of lighting created the illusion of a police chase with their arrangement of red and blue flashing lights. Their use of the spotlight could immediately draw all of the audience’s focus onto one character on the stage, as well as creating chaos in the police chase scenes.
However, the school show would not have been able to go ahead without the help and guidance from our teachers; Miss Carr, Miss Keise, Miss Langston, Mrs. Booton-Ford, Mrs. Gillard, Miss Smith, Miss Collisson, Miss Rowe, and the director, Mr Stonhill. All of the teachers threw themselves into the production of the play and even occasionally appeared on stage themselves!
Overall, Wolverhampton Girls’ High School’s production of ‘Guys and Dolls’ was an utterly immersive experience that truly showcased the talent of the pupils. One audience member described the production as “Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.”
By Elliana - Y12
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