A great show is on at The Church Hill Theatre for the next week – Guys and Dolls is being staged by the Bohemians Lyric Opera Company from tonight until next Saturday. (performances 4th-5th then 8th-12th March and mats 5th/12th)
And an assistant at Specsavers in Morningside is swapping specs for the stage in the musical extravaganza. Mary O’Gorman will be playing the lead role of Sarah Brown, a young Christian missionary who has high hopes of converting the gamblers and wayward characters on Broadway. The musical includes popular songs such as Luck Be a Lady and Sit down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.
The opticians on Morningside Road has donated a pair of glasses to Mary for her role in this Bohemians Lyric Opera Company (BLOC) production, and has also sponsored the show programme. A collection box will also be in the store throughout March to raise further funds for Waverley Care, which is the charity supported by the BLOC.
Waverley Care is an Edinburgh-based charity which helps local people dealing with AIDS and HIV.
Michael O’Kane, store director of Specsavers Morningside, says: ‘Mary has been busy rehearsing and I am looking forward to seeing a member of our staff on the stage in this fantastic play. We are delighted to support this local drama group as well as such a worthwhile local charity.’
Eye tests can be booked in store, 302 Morningside Road, Morningside, Edinburgh, or by calling 0131 446 9960.
Tickets for Guys and Dolls are priced at £14 (£12 matinee) and are available from the company booking manager at 07751282710. The show is running from March 4 until March 12 at Edinburgh’s Church Hill Theatre in Morningside.
With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and a book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, Guys and Dolls is set around petty gamblers in 1940s New York. The story centres around four main characters, Nathan Detroit, Sky Masterson, Sarah Brown and Miss Adelaide. Desperate to find money to pay for his floating crap game, gambler Nathan Detroit bets Sky Masterson a thousand dollars that Sky will not be able to take a local Salvation Army girl, Sarah Brown, to Cuba. While Sky eventually is able to convince Sarah to join him, Nathan battles with his fiancé of fourteen years, Adelaide. As Sky ends up falling for Sarah, he tries to reform his gambling ways, taking the rest of the crapshooters with him to the Mission.
The musical premiered on Broadway in 1950 and won five Tony awards in 1951 including Best Musical. The show has since been revived on Broadway and the West End many times. Ewan McGregor played the role of Sky Masterson in the 2005 West End production, the character that was portrayed by Marlon Brando in the film. Memorable songs including ‘Luck Be a Lady’ and ‘Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat.’
Alison McKay, Vice-Chair for the Bohemians, said:
“We always aim to do shows that appeal to everyone and are incredibly enjoyable to perform as well as watch. Guys and Dolls is fun and many people will be familiar with the film and songs, but not everyone will have seen the show on stage. We have a really strong cast and production team and we can guarantee a really good night out for all – and we would strongly encourage you to come and hum along with the songs you know!”
And here are some lovely Colin Hattersley photos of the actors getting ready for the show!
