At the Grand Opera House, Guys and Dolls arrives with all the energy, colour and spectacle audiences expect from one of Broadway’s best loved classics. Belfast Operatic Company brings huge ambition to the production, filling the stage with lively performances, bold choreography and the timeless songs that have kept the musical popular for decades.
Set in 1950s New York (and a short diversion to Havana), the story follows gamblers, nightclub singers and missionaries through a world of romance, comedy and chaos. Numbers like “Luck Be a Lady” and “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” still land brilliantly with audiences, helped here by a committed cast and a strong orchestra that keeps the show moving at pace. Dessie Havlin brings charm and confidence to Sky Masterson, while Naomi Smyth gives Sarah Brown warmth and sincerity. Greg Fox is entertaining as Nathan Detroit, with Emiko Seawright bringing humour and personality to Miss Adelaide.
As a classic 1950s musical, Guys and Dolls has always been a long show, and this production fully leans into that traditional Broadway scale. By the later stages of the evening, some audience members could be seen leaving early, likely trying to catch the last bus or train home before the final curtain.
The stage felt overcrowded at times, particularly during the large ensemble scenes where almost every inch of space is filled with movement. Rather than adding to the spectacle, it can sometimes become distracting, giving the impression that the full ensemble is being used simply for the sake of it, with some moments occasionally getting lost among the constant activity.
Still, there is a huge amount to admire in the scale of the production and the effort behind it. The cast gives everything throughout, the costumes and visuals are impressive, and the show captures the warmth, humour and charm that have made Guys and Dolls such an enduring musical theatre favourite. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this local production filled with music, humour and charm, even if it made for a very long night at the theatre.
