Congratulations to all involved in Guys and Dolls! It was a positively staggering production.
Guys and Dolls was written by Frank Loesser in 1950, becoming an award-winning staple of Broadway and enjoying many successful performances ever since. It recently had a fantastic run in London, before then of course being undertaken by the Sevenoaks School Theatre Company.
Guys and Dolls follows the story of a motley handful of 1950s New Yorkers, including smooth-talking Sky Masterson, mission doll Sarah Brown, the iconic Miss Adelaide and her no-good, forever gambling fiance Nathan Detroit. The play also has a lively and dynamic ensemble; between the Salvation Army, the Hot Box dancers, and an erratic cohort of gamblers, it is rife with Broadway charm.
The goal was, of course, ambitious – the ambition being half the fun. The production brought the SSTC community together as students learned to sing, dance and act to create something incredible. It was a perfect opportunity to showcase Sevenoaks School’s many outstandingly talented performers, and everyone involved worked diligently to create something truly extraordinary.
Having seen the show undertaken by a professional cast at The Bridge Theatre in 2024, I can wholeheartedly say that the Sevenoaks production was every bit as vibrant and entertaining. The show was alive with energy and talent – the acting, the music, the singing and the dancing were nothing short of breathtaking. The brilliance was evident all over the stage, from the many crowd-pleasing solos to the sensational salsa dancing to the immersive set design that transported the audience to a neon-lit New York.
Most importantly, I know that Guys and Dolls marked some of the most fun that I have ever had, and that we’ve all walked away with lifelong friendships.
I would like to say an enormous thank you to our incredible teachers, the crew, the technicians, the designers, and everyone who gave their time and effort to make this production possible. And to my fellow cast members, who made this production as magical as it was. A huge thank you, too, to everyone who came to watch and support the SSTC. This production was made possible thanks to the generous Support of the Mouzykantskii family and Bright Era Education: a huge thank you goes to them from the SSTC and the school.
Guys and Dolls stood out as something truly special and one of a kind that will leave a mark on Sevenoaks for years to come.
Sam, Year 11
