The 2010 musical production from Bexley Grammar School, Guys and Dolls, has been praised by audiences after four days of successful performances. The Broadway musical, performed from 9th to 12th February, was described as ‘professional’ and ‘stunning’ by spectators in letters and emails recently sent to the school.

The Tony Award-winning show, set in New York, follows the troubles of Nathan Detroit as he struggles to set up an illegal dice game whilst keeping his fiancée, Miss Adelaide, happy after a fourteen year long engagement causes her to catch a terrible cold. Fellow gangster, Sky Masterson, is equally troubled as he attempts to win a bet by capturing the heart of a local mission girl, Sarah Brown. The show features catchy numbers such as Luck be a Lady and Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat, with gangsters, show girls and missionaries combining to produce a true Broadway hit!

After months of hard work and countless rehearsals, the students pulled off a truly amazing set of performances. The success of last year’s production, Crazy for You, enticed audiences back for another year, with Thursday’s and Friday’s shows selling out completely. The cast and crew received endless praise from families, friends, teachers and others, with many commenting on the true professionalism of every aspect of the musical.

Guys and Dolls saw the combined efforts of several school departments, particularly the ADT Department, who not only provided a stunning set of scenery for the stage, but also cooked up tasty treats for audiences and performers. Displays were set up at the school entrance showing the hard work of students in their Art and Design lessons in preparation for the musical.

Those involved in the show all agreed that the experience was one of the best at Bexley Grammar School. Year 13 students, Andrew Boyling and Rochelle Bisson, ended Friday’s performance with a particularly emotional goodbye speech, realising they had experienced their final show at the school, after many years of musical productions with Director, Olly Medlicott. Year 12 student, Liam McLaughlin, only joined the Sixth Form in September but managed to bag the leading role of Sky Masterson. He told friends that “I am realising more how well everybody bonded, ultimately. Although being at the school for less than 6 months, I feel part of the family already. BGS, what a difference it makes... It feels so fresh and vibrant here”.

After another successful production, audiences are already looking forward to what Bexley Grammar School can pull out of the bag in 2011!

By Rochelle Bisson