Guys and Dolls

That Ewan McGregor is one smooth character! Perhaps this wasn’t the perfect vehicle for his singing but there was definitely no faulting his stage presence, his acting and his dance moves. Very smooth!

R and I had booked tickets for this show back in July (!) and it was definitely worth the wait so that we could get the seats that we got – prime viewing to see this spectacular show. The sets and costumes (love the suits that the guys wear!) are relatively simple for a big West End production (though still fairly impressive) allowing you to enjoy the characters and storyline which is basically about gamblers and their ladies.

Oddly endearing “cheap bum” Nathan Detroit (Douglas Hodge) bets Ewan’s Sky Masterson that he can’t make missionary Sarah Brown (Jenna Russell) fall in love with him. In the mean time Nathan has his own issues juggling his engagement to Adelaide (played engagingly by Jane Krakowski) and avoiding the eyes of the law as he tries to find a suitable venue for his crap game.

The four leads have a great chemistry and nearing the end of Ewan’s run in the musical the bond between them really shows. Lots of great dancing (look out especially for the scene in Havana where Sky and Sarah dance their rocks off in a huge saucy number) and the score is swinging! The comedic timing is also spot on. What more can you ask for a fabulous musical.

A bit of culture

For those interested in crafts there is a little gem of a gallery, housed by the Crafts Council in Angel, which hosts a revolving programme of craft exhibitions. The current exhibition hosts the work of eight crafters shortlisted for the Jerwood Applied Arts Prize 2005: Metal. Gold, silver, iron and steel, etc. have been manipulated by these crafters into the most interesting of objects. For novelty factor check out the magnetic wall that plays hosts to visitor comment cards.