London

Nicholas Hytner&#8217;s production of Guys and Dolls has been raking in the plaudits since it opened in March, but is it worth the hype? The big hook is that it&#8217;s immersive. OK, interactive theatre might bring forth traumatic memories of being picked on by Captain Hook at Peter Pan-to On Ice when you were 12 (just me?), but bear with because it genuinely adds to the experience. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-201-1024x683.jpg" alt="Hotbox dancers" class="wp-image-7224" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-201-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-201-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-201-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-201-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-201-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The production&#8217;s staged in-the-round, and three tiers of seating each only a few rows deep means there isn&#8217;t a bum seat in the house. But I had heard from friends who plumped for seated tickets before that they felt a touch left out, so I took the plunge and went for the immersive, standing option. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/shoeshine-1024x683.jpg" alt="Actor shining shoes in interval Guys and Dolls" class="wp-image-7219" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/shoeshine-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/shoeshine-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/shoeshine-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/shoeshine-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/shoeshine-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Actor shining an audience-member&#8217;s shoe in the interval!</figcaption></figure>



After checking coats and bags, we headed downstairs, and downstairs again, and stumbled out onto the stage. Yep, this wasn&#8217;t a little area around the stage, there was no partition, we were milling about on the stage surrounded by an actual audience. Gulp. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/guysanddolls-1024x768.jpg" alt="Stage before show Guys and Dolls" class="wp-image-7232" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/guysanddolls-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/guysanddolls-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/guysanddolls-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/guysanddolls-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/guysanddolls-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Standing on the stage pre-show</figcaption></figure>



Amongst the audience members (differentiated from actors only by the absence of 1950s dress) were New York beat cops with earpieces and radios. Gradually, more and more fedoras and minks began to appear in our midst, the band kicked it up a notch and a cop appeared to shuffle us back a few paces.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="640" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Nathan_Detroit-1024x640.jpg" alt="Guys and Dolls" class="wp-image-7215" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Nathan_Detroit-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Nathan_Detroit-300x188.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Nathan_Detroit-768x480.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Nathan_Detroit-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Nathan_Detroit.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Suddenly, the part of the stage on which we had been standing rose up about a metre with Nicely Nicely Johnson (played superbly by TJ Lloyd) grooving on top.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="773" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/tapshow-1024x773.jpg" alt="Hotbox tapshow during interval" class="wp-image-7231" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/tapshow-1024x773.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/tapshow-300x226.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/tapshow-768x580.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/tapshow-1536x1159.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/tapshow-2048x1546.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tap Show during the interval</figcaption></figure>



The moving stages were a continual feature, serving as a central stage or multiple little action &#8216;islands&#8217; as required. The scene in Cuba (to the tune of Havana) maximised the capacities of the space, with one continuous scene moving seamlessly from restaurant to beach bar to Cuban mountains to a dimly-lit street at night. It pulls your attention all around the stage, smooth as you like.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-132-1024x768.jpg" alt="Sky and Sarah" class="wp-image-7230" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-132-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-132-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-132-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-132-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-132-2048x1536.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



There was no absence of chemistry (yeah, chemistry!) between Sky Masterson (George Ioannides) and Sarah Brown (Gina Beck) &#8211; both were electric and stunning, with expressive voices that carried both the tune and the feeling on wings.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide2-1024x683.jpg" alt="Adelaide and Nathan Detroit" class="wp-image-7225" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Miss Adelaide, played by Timmika Ramsay</figcaption></figure>



The other drop-dead performance was that of Miss Adelaide, played by Timmika Ramsay. Hers is not an easy part &#8211; she is funny, seductive, bold and commanding, yet sincere and human at the same time. Numbers like Take Back Your Mink take serious attitude, and she has it in spades, and her voice is powerful and beautiful in equal measure.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide_GD-1024x768.jpg" alt="Hotbox with Adelaide" class="wp-image-7217" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide_GD-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide_GD-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide_GD-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide_GD.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Hers are also some of the major dance numbers too, and the standard of dancing is sky-high, even if the choreography isn&#8217;t overly ambitious.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Sky_Sewer-1024x683.jpg" alt="Sky Masterson" class="wp-image-7221" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Sky_Sewer-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Sky_Sewer-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Sky_Sewer-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Sky_Sewer-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Sky_Sewer-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sky Masterson, played by George Ioannides</figcaption></figure>



Sky Masterson&#8217;s character arc, and his unlikely romance with missionary Sarah Brown, is the highlight of any good production of Guys and Dolls and it does not disappoint here. Costume and hair turn him from sleazy greaseball who might sell you faulty double glazing into the hunk of the century. The power of love, hey.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide_Nathan-1024x683.jpg" alt="Adelaide and Nathan Detroit" class="wp-image-7222" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide_Nathan-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide_Nathan-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide_Nathan-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide_Nathan-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Adelaide_Nathan-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Miss Adelaide and Nathan Detroit (played by Owain Arthur)</figcaption></figure>



Placing a male dancer as his partner in the racy dance in Havana was a pretty sexy choice, too.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Pf-203-1024x683.jpg" alt="Cuban dancing" class="wp-image-7228" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Pf-203-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Pf-203-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Pf-203-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Pf-203-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Pf-203-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Following the curtain call, the stage turned into a dancefloor and and the immersed audience grooved along with the cast for a good ten minutes after the show ended. I was thrust into the centre to slow dance with Nicely Nicely, which is something I won&#8217;t forget in a hurry.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-270-1024x683.jpg" alt="Characters at prayer meeting" class="wp-image-7227" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-270-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-270-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-270-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-270-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-270-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



In short, it&#8217;s magnificent. Immersive or not, it&#8217;s one of the best musicals I&#8217;ve ever seen, from the flawless cast to the glorious band (particularly the smooth brass levels in songs like Adelaide Meets Sarah) to the giddy atmosphere around it.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Hotbox2-1024x683.jpg" alt="Adelaide in the Hotbox" class="wp-image-7223" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Hotbox2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Hotbox2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Hotbox2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Hotbox2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/Hotbox2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



If you feel up to standing for a two-and-a-bit-hour show (and would value the freedom to boogie), I would highly recommend the immersive tickets. You won&#8217;t have been this close to the action at a show before, though I hope that we&#8217;ll see more productions in this style in the coming years.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GuysBand-1024x683.jpg" alt="Band guys and dolls" class="wp-image-7226" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GuysBand-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GuysBand-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GuysBand-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GuysBand-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GuysBand-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The band</figcaption></figure>



The theatre is a ten-minute walk from London Bridge Station and right on the river, so perfect for a riverside stroll beforehand or a wintry evening debrief afterwards. The Alpine Lodge at <a href="https://www.vicinitylondon.co.uk/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vicinity</a> is a great spot for a pre-show dinner or cocktail with a view of Tower Bridge if you&#8217;re so inclined.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-135-1024x683.jpg" alt="Cuban dancers" class="wp-image-7229" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-135-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-135-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-135-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-135-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2024/12/GD24-Dr-135-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Good for: Everyone, from superfans to musical virgins. I promise you won&#8217;t be able to wipe the smile off your face for hours.



Not for: If standing for an hour sounds like hell on earth, go for seated &#8211; still worth it ten times over.



Guys and Dolls is on at Bridge Theatre, SE1 2SG, until 4 Jan 2025. Book tickets <a href="https://bridgetheatre.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



Images by Manuel Harlan, words by Joe Wald.

Review: Guys and Dolls, Bridge Theatre

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