GUYS AND DOLLS

FERNEHAM HALL, FAREHAM

24TH, 25TH, 26TH FEBRUARY 2011

CAST OF CHARACTERS
(IN ORDER OF APPERANCE)

Nicely-Nicely Johnson....................Ben Wilson
Benny Southstreet.......................Chris Hutton
Rusty Charlie..........................Matthew Fisher
Sarah Brown............................Natasha Brown
Arvide Abernathy.....................James Lawbury
Harry the Horse............................Jack Austin
Lt Brannigan...............................Georgie Cox
Nathan Detroit.............................Jamie Riley
Angie the Ox..............................Luke Collins
Miss Adelaide.............................Megan Healy
Sky Masterson.................................Sam Ring
Joey Biltmore................................Jack Austin
Mimi.............................................Ellie Jones
General Matilda B Cartwright........Gilly Williams
Big Jule.......................................Josef Goreki
Society Max.............................Aaron Whatling
Liver Lips Louie............................Luke Collins
Master of Ceremonies................Matthew Jarvis
............................................... Michael Geary
Agatha......................................Jessica Manns
Martha....................................Ellie Mae Sykes
Drunk..........................................Luke Collins
Waiter in Hot Box...................Connor Whatling
Waiter in Havanna Street Cafe..Connor Whatling
Waiter in Havanna Hotel.........Dominic Charman
Waiter in Havanna Dive...................Tim Brooks

Dancers

Paige Elson, Beth Evans, Ellie Jones,
Victoria Knight, Hannah Mills, Phoebe Saunders,
Lily Wardale, Gilly Williams, Katie Winter,
Tim Brooks, Dominic Charman, Matthew Jarvis,
Michael Geary, Jamie Riley, Aaron Whatling

Mission Band

Holly Austin, Faye Carpenter, Dominic Charman,
Emily Collins-Wingate, Tia Davis-Way,
Michael Geary, Matthew Jarvis, Sian Samways.

Crapshooters

Tim Brooks, Dominic Charman, Georgie Cox,
Josh Dennis, Jonah Ford, Michael Geary,
Sachin Janagal, Matthew Jarvis, Thomas Langton, James Lawbuary, Josef Locke, Declan-Dali Murphy, Christhian Nunez, Toby Whardale, Connor Whatling.

Members of the Chorus

Holly Austin, Faye Carpenter, Emily Collins-Wingate,
Tia Davis-Way, Chloe Harvey, Jessica Manns,
Connie Powell, Sian Samways, Katherine Steel,
Ellie-May Sykes, Doreen White.

The News, Portsmouth

Guys and Dolls at Ferneham Hall, Fareham
By JAMES GEORGE
Published on Fri Feb 25 09:30:22 GMT 2011

Guys and Dolls is like a favourite pair of old slippers. Familiar, comfortable and just plain lovely.

Stage One’s production does nothing to lessen that feeling. Every song’s a winner in this show and here they’re mostly well sung. There’s a good deal of maturity in the singing-voices – surprising and pleasing when you read in the programme that there are no over-19s in the cast.

As Sarah Brown, Natasha Brown gives a warm, believable and beautifully detailed performance, her strong, beautiful soprano coming easily and soaring to the rafters. She’s ably partnered by the equally well-voiced Sam Ring as Sky Masterson. He is, perhaps, a little too measured in his dialogue – more energy and attack is required - but is never less than personable.

As the adenoidal Miss Adelaide, Megan Healy does well in the musical numbers and her partner, Nathan Detroit, is played by Jamie Riley with enviable comic awareness.

But, towering over all four leads is James Lawbuary as Arvide Abernathy. Clearly a born character-actor he has an ear for dialogue and imbues each line with intelligence, sense and spontanaiety. Some other cast-members seemed simply to be repeating lines learned by rote – but that comes with age and experience.

And charismatically standing out from the slick ensemble is Aaron Whatling, who acts, sings and dances his little socks off. Watch for him in the future.

Despite a pedestrian and uninspired start from the orchestra this show deserves to be wallowed in.

The News Website Comment

James George does a resonable job of describing the performance as he saw it. However, as one who has seen many shows from this company I would like everyone to know that they give 110%. It is no mean feat to go out on stage and face a hall full of people. Yes the audience may be mainly friends and family but it is still a nerve racking experience for a teenager. The thing that always strikes me is that they always seem to be enjoying themselves and their enthusiasm is infections. I would recommend anyone who would like to to try something other than sitting at home watching the tele then get your backsides into the Ferneham Hall and watch a Stage One production. Its good value and its always good fun.

siskinbob

Southern Evening Echo

Guys and Dolls
Stage One
Ferneham Hall, Fareham

Luck and chance feature significantly in the story of Guys and Dolls, but neither were required in the well conceived and beautifully executed production of the musical by Stage One.

The director, Jacqui Ivemy, showed a masterly hand at work creating inventive and visually striking scenes and sustaining the pace and narrative arc despite the need for constant scene changes.

The crisp and yet lush musical arrangement contributed in no small measure to the success of the show: all credit should be given to the Musical Director, Anita Clements, and the musicians.

The company delivered performances note perfect both vocally and in terms of characterisation. The four leads were excellent. Sam Ring was charismatic and compelling as Skye Masterson, while James Riley's Nathan had a crumpled charm. Natasha Brown (Sarah) and Megan Healy (Miss Adelaide) gave star turns. Ben Wilson was outstanding support as Nicely-Nicely Johnson.

Rip-roaring entertainment.

Karen Robson

Letters, emails to Stage One

We saw the show last night and, once again, thought it a marvellous performance. Miss Adelaide was particularly fantastic. Please pass on our congratulations and thanks to all the cast for a brilliant night out.

Best Wishes
Steve and Maisie Brickell

Dear Dave & Jacqui,
Thank you for an absolutely wonderful evening last Friday, when I and my two guests came along to Guys and Dolls.
To say CONGRATULATIONS just doesn't seem adequate. Every single one in the show sang their hearts out. And what beautiful voices. I know they have all worked so hard, along with stage workers and orchestra.
I'm sure you are both also in need of a rest but please be assured we'll be back for the next production, so re-charge those batteries.
Many thanks once again and warmest congrats to everyone. Love Daphne
Oh! David, the seats were perfect. Thank you

Dear David,
Sorry for the delay, but I just thought I'd let you know that yet again Stage One has produced an excellent production.

My congratulations to you all from the letter writers, scene shifters to the music the dancing and all concerned with the production of "Guys and Dolls". Oh and I think I'd better mention the costumes, which were as usual, quite splendid!!

My best wishes to all who have reached the great age of 18 and are now going forward with their lives away from "Stage One". I hope the take with them the terrific dedication and the knowledge that anything can be done if you try hard enough.

Thank you all for a great evenings entertainment, and for working so hard to please your audience.

A faithful fan,
Jean Sartain.

Hello David and Jackie,
I had to forward on the email below from our friend, because I thought you guys deserved to know and the rest of the “stage one company” what is being said about your shows!
Nick and I have always known the hard work everyone puts in for such polished performances and especially all the work that is done by you guys and the others behind the scenes.
So well done as usual from us and we completely concur with the message below.

Keep up the great work we are already looking forward to “Footloose” and have already sent out an email to all our ticket customers to book the dates in their diaries.

Regards Debbie & Nick Williams

Just got to emphasise that last night's show was the BEST.

The company has picked a vehicle that really suits their talents.

1 Whover handled the voice coaching deserves a prize. I really expected players at that age to simply fail on projecting American accents over a long performance. No- the players handled that aspect (seemingly) easily.

2 The orchestra, instead of trying to emulate a large theatrical performance, found a musical style in 'jazz' that suited them beautifully.

3 There are quite a few voices in Stage One that we should watch out for in future - in some cases there were performances I would genuinely rank with the best on the London stage. What I heard was maturity and clarity beyond their years and my expectations.

You will gather that I am glad I was there last night.I get the impression that the cast ,despite the responsibility for delivering a great show was also having a ball.

I have been watching this ensemble for a few years now but something special seems to have happened to it.

Thanks for the invite...Brian Constantine

"This was another wonderful show, full of gusto from all the cast, so sorry that a lot of the older members are leaving this year but they must follow their dreams. Was well worth the journey from Sheffield to see the show, well done Stage One." Nessie Price