GUYS AND DOLLS
ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Director/Choreographer: Stephen Mear
Musical Director: James McKeon
Designer: Morgan Large
Miss Adelaide: Meow Meow
Sky Masterson: Adrian Lester
Nathan Detroit: Jason Manford
Sarah Brown: Lara Pulver
Narrator: Stephen Mangan
Nicely Nicely: Johnson Clive Rowe
Arvide Abernathy: Paul Nicholas
General Cartwright: Sharon D Clarke
Benny Southstreet: Joe Stilgoe
Rusty Charlie: Cory English
Agatha Alexis: Owen Hobbs
Martha: Nia Jermin
Calvin Matthew: Whennell-Clark
Big Jule: Sévan Stephan
Harry the Horse: Dan Burton
Lt Brannigan: Julian Forsyth
Angie the Ox: Stephane Annelli
“Meow Meow's Miss Adelaide upstaged them all.” The Times
“Adrian Lester is suave and masterful as Sky, and well matched by Lara Pulver as Sarah - her drunken antics in Havana are particularly charming. It's a pleasure to see Clive Rowe reprising the role which won him an Olivier Award in 1997, with "Sit Down, You're Rocking The Boat" clearly marked out as one of the audience's favourite moments of the night. Jason Manford combines his comedy skills with excellent vocals, he and Meow Meow making an endearing (if slightly oddball) pair as Nathan and Miss Adelaide. Meow Meow is larger than life and so well suited to the role that it makes you wonder why she's not been snapped up to play it before; she steals the show every time she steps onto the stage, and makes "Adelaide's Lament" a memorable moment indeed. It's been a couple of years since Guys and Dolls was last in the West End, but this semi-staged production has given a tantalising glimpse of what Stephen Mear could do if another revival were in the offing. This has to be one of the standout theatrical events of the year.” www.broadwayworld.com
“Meow Meow is a revelation as Miss Adelaide – very funny and often heart-breaking in her deep devotion to the man she loves, most notably seen in the show-stopping Adelaide’s Lament that showcases her vocal abilities. Other highlights include her glittering, saucy performances at the Hot Box club, accompanied by six dancers, in A Bushel and a Peck and Take Back Your Mink” www.britishtheatre.com
“The star of the show for me was the absolutely wonderful Meow Meow who totally stole the show as Miss Adelaide. Whether banging out a raunchy tune or singing a sad solo, Meow Meow really nailed the performance and brought every nuance of Miss Adelaide’s character out.” www.londontheatre.com
“Meow Meow in particular as Miss Adelaide is a true delight – spot on comical in terms of her characterisation, her bold personality really filling the Royal Albert Hall and her performance of ‘Adelaide’s Lament’ proving a real highlight” www.lovelondonloveculture.com
“The star of the show is Meow Meow – sneezing and sniffling her way through the night in a hysterically off-kilter and slightly subversive version of lovelorn Miss Adelaide.” www.fairypoweredproductions.com
“Meow Meow is a fantastic Adelaide. She ramps up the cutesy coating, with steely determination beneath. She manages to sustain a nasal, hoarse voice for Adelaide’s Lament (“Just from waiting around / For that little band of gold / A person can develop a cold”) yet still hits every note in her six numbers.” www.thestage.co.uk
Photography: Roy Tan, Christie Goodwin, Michael Hewitt