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Guys & Dolls

Performed at The Little Theatre,
Hoghton St, Southport

15th to 18th June 2005

Directed by:
Betty Hall

Musical Director:
Jill Hyde

Choreographer:
Gaynor Hale

Programme cover for Guys & Dolls

Show photos

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Cast list

Sarah Brown ....................................... Laura Fegan
Sky Masterson .................................... Matt Casson
Miss Adelaide ........................................ Elaine Cox
Nathan Detroit ................................. Adrian Roberts
Nicely-Nicely Johnson .......................... Dave Smith
Benny Southstreet ................................... Dave Cox
Rusty Charlie ................................... Tom Adamson
Harry the Horse ................................ Graham Heap
Big Jule ............................................... Eric Fletcher
Lt Brannigan ....................................... Eric Rimmer
Arvide Abernathy ............................ Tony Adamson
General Cartwright ........................... Pam Ashcroft
Joey Biltmore/ Society Max ................ Ian Culshaw
Angie the Ox/Guy .................................. Derek Barr
Scranton Slim ...................................... Liam Jones
Brandy Bottle Bates ........................ Peter Brennan
Liver Lips Louis .................................. Philip Makin
Regret ............................................... Mark Thomas
Drunk ............................................... Chris McCabe

The Mission
Agatha ............................................... Gill Culshaw
Martha ......................................... Thelma Adamson
Rose ................................................... Joyce Perrin
Little Miss Marker ............................. Sarah Culshaw
Calvin .......................................... Andrew Albertina
Ava ................................................. Joan Albertina
Frank ................................................. David Banks

Hot Box
Mimi ............................................ Kelly-Ann Poulson
Ferguson/Doll ..................................... Stacey Davies
Vernon .............................................. Carol Kennedy
Alison ..................................................... Sally Lane
Pearl ........................................... Lisa Morgan-Jervis
Lena ................................................... Emma Pilson
Lulu .................................................... Kayley Foran
Lily ...................................................... Claire Bryan

Production Credits

Director ...............................................................Betty Hall
Musical Director (Orchestra)...................................... Jill Hyde
Musical Director (Chorus) ................................ Doreen Bridson
Choreographer ................................................... Gaynor Hale
Production co-ordinator ......................................... Betty Hall
Pianist ........................................................ Hilary Burgoyne
Stage Manager .............................................. Neil Townsend
Stage Crew ...................................... Paul Silcock, Tony Kelly,
Kyle Poulson, Roy Smyth
Costumes .............................................Charades, St. Helens
Wardrobe .................................... Betty Hall & Pat Robertson
Seamstress ................................................. Marjorie Gaskell
Continuity .................................................. Helen Illingworth
Librarian .................................................... Andrew Albertina
Ticket Secretaries ...................................... Dave & Elaine Cox
Front of House ...................................... Friends of the Society
Poster & Programme Design ..................................... Dave Cox
Publicity ............................................ Members of the Society
Properties ........................................................ Chris & Brian
Photography ........................................ Dave Cox, Alan Martin

FOR THE LITTLE THEATRE
Sound .................................................... Bernie Howitt
Lighting ................................................... Tony Berry

Printed by GAYNORS [Southport]

Newspaper Articles

Jamie McLoughlin, Maghull & Aintree Star

Aiming to be in luck Jun 9 2005

A MAGHULL-based theatre group wants luck to be a lady this month when they take their latest production to Southport.

The resort's Little Theatre hosts Maghull Musical Theatre Company's take on the classic Guys & Dolls from June 15 to 18, and cast and crew are hoping to see as many local faces as possible in the audience.

Betty Hall, a former primary school teacher from Upholland, is directing.

Her involvement with the company goes back 12 years, when her daughter, Hannah was a member.

She told the Maghull & Aintree Star: "I taught the children drama at school and Hannah is now a professional actress.

"I perform as well as direct and I've also written a piece, called Curtain Call, which the company has performed.

"We always use the Little Theatre, it has such a good atmosphere and the Company has a good following in Maghull.

"Rehearsals for Guys & Dolls have been fun. The stage musical isn't that different to the film version.

"All the favourites are in there; Luck be a Lady, Guys & Dolls, and of course, Sit Down, You're Rocking the Boat, That's a great chorus number."

A cast of 30 bring Guys & Dolls to the Southport stage, with Matt Casson playing Sky Masterson, the role made famous by Frank Sinatra in the 1950s film version, with Sarah Brown as Laura Fegan.

Gwen Story

Guys and Dolls set for show

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

THE cast and crew of Maghull Musical Theatre Company (formerly Maghull Amateur Operatic Society) welcome you to their latest production, Frank Loesser’s well-loved 1950’s musical, Guys and Dolls.

The show is directed by Betty Hall, choreographed by Gaynor Hale and musically directed by Jill Hyde, an impressive production team indeed.
Set in New York, based on the stories of the the much-admired Damon Runyon, a journalist from Colorado, the show is full of larger-than-life characters.

It features delightful foot-tapping/tear jerking numbers such as Bushel and A Peck, Guys and Dolls, Take Back Your Mink, If I Were A Bell I’d Be Ringing (one of my own favourites), I’ve Never Been In Love Before and perhaps the most famous of all, Luck Be A Lady Tonight.

The company has assembled a highly-talented cast including Laura Fegan as Sarah Brown, Matt Casson as Sky Masterson, Elaine Cox as Miss Adelaide and Adrian Roberts as Nathan Detroit.

The outstanding supporting cast includes Dave Smith (Nicely Nicely Johnson), Dave Cox (Benny Southstreet), Tom Adamson (Rusty Charley), Graham Heap (Harry the Horse), Eric Fletcher (Big Jule), Eric Rimmer (Lt Brannigan), Tony Adamson (Arvide Abernathy), Pam Ashcroft (General Cartwright) and Ian Culshaw (Joey Biltmore).

With such a cast plus the chorus, dancers and orchestra directed by Betty, Jill and Gaynor, this will be a great show to be enjoyed and forever remembered.

Guys and Dolls opens at the Southport Little Theatre on Wednesday, June 15, through to Saturday, June 18, each evening at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.15pm.

Tickets priced at £7.50 to £9 can be bought from today (Wednesday) onwards from the Little Theatre box office on 01704 530521. I wish the whole company and crew a successful production of this popular musical. Hurry and book your tickets. Not to be missed.

Reviews

Southport Visiter (Friday 24th June 2005)

Amateurs who were so professional
Maghull Musical Theatre Company
present Guys & Dolls
by Damon Runyon
Southport Little Theatre

I have recently been working in London and I was invited to one of the previews of Guys and Dolls starring Ewan McGregor and Jane Krakowski, the secretary from Ally McBeal.

I mention this not to brag about my famous lifestyle but to explain the dilemma in reviewing this Guys and Dolls so soon after my London experience and having to remember the difference between amateur and professional. Now whilst there are obviously many differences, Maghull Musical Theatre came a good runner-up.

Damon Runyon's original story was a dark tale of the underbelly of New York life - gamblers and life after the Depression. This musical version is recognised as a cornerstone of the 20th century repertoire and brave choice musically for any amateur company.

Matt Casson is winningly predatory as Sky Masterson (incidentally this actor hit all the musical notes Mr McGregor failed to conquer), the gambler conned by Nathan Detroit to take Sister Sarah from the Save A Soul mission to Havana or lose a $1,000 bet.

As protagonists, Casson and Laura Fegan enjoy their battle of words and superiority, but musically they are poles apart as Ms Fegan cannot make up her mind between her head or chest voice.

Betty Hall directs with admirable simplicity, organising the crowd/chorus effectively to reflect the Big Apple's restless energy.

Musical Director Jill Hyde leads her orchestra through all the familiar tunes with a sympathetic ear but on the opening night she was let down by a few rogue brass elements.

Adrian Roberts and Elaine Cox as Nathan and Miss Adelaide work perfectly together and Adelaide's lament was extremely good. Dave Smith is Nicely Nicely Johnson and my new best friend - he was great, a voice with plenty of welly and he goes for the notes with a will. Brill.

Colin Magenty - NODA Rep

A new society name, and a new director, but a tried and tested show, one that is revived again and again not just on the amateur stage, but in the West End as well. Several nice touches made in the production and Betty can be pleased with her first show as director.

Sarah Brown was played by Laura Fegan who acted the part superbly well even if her vocal range was not quite there; the resulting overall performance was more than acceptable. Sky was played by the youthful Matt Casson who did well with the part. Miss Adelaide played, in her own way, by Elaine Cox came across well as did Adrian Roberts portrayal of Nathan Detroit.

I enjoyed both performances of Dave Smith as Nicely-Nicely and Dave Cox playing Benny, the two side-kicks of Nathan.

We had also some very nice cameo parts, namely Graham Heap as Harry the Horse and Big Jule played by Eric Fletcher, and a good supporting cast together with some very good choreography from both the boys and the girls. But it would have been better, especially in the Hot Box number, to be one short than have older members in a young chorus line as it was noticeable.

I particularly enjoyed ’Luck Be a Lady‘; well done, gentlemen. And well done, Gaynor. Thank you for a very enjoyable evening. A good start for an old company with a new name.