A great play but just a good production, ‘Guys and Dolls Junior’ fails to convey the coy charm and magnificent pizzazz of the original musical that opened on Broadway in November 1950.
Despite its explanatory title, it is hard to accept that this performance truly belongs at the Fringe Festival. Take3 Theatre School claims that it provides “professional tuition for students in the disciplines of Acting, Singing and Dancing”, but they appear to have let their students down with a show that feels awkwardly unprofessional and lacks any ‘magical of theatre’ touches.
Gladly, no fault can be laid at the feet of the performers. Lauren Mairs is deliciously amusing as Miss Adelaide, despite a cheap blonde wig that reduces the credibility of the character and gives it a rather tacky sheen. Another rising star to watch is Kelly McCabe, who sings beautifully (albeit, a little softly) as the demure and innocent Miss Sarah.
Indeed, vocally, the whole group is impressive, but the complete star of the show has to be William Reekie. Cruising the stage as Nicely-Nicely Johnson, his performance of ‘Sit Down, You’re Rocking The Boat’ gives Martyn Ellis (of 2005 London Production fame) a decent run for his money!
It is a shame that an ambitious theatre school can select a musical with all the toe-tapping joy you could squeeze into one show, cast a good selection of young actors (each with enormous potential) and then fail to produce anything that contains even half the professionalism of a school play. It would seem that Take3 Directors perhaps need a little help from Lady Luck for future productions.
2/5 
Sydney Arber
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