Just a buncha crazy guys and dolls

Best bit: Jamie Parker's luminous Luck Be A Lady Tonight!

Any boring bits: Bits of plot seem to be missing, so it feels at times a bit confusing.

Who would like it: Fans of a bit of silliness and a classic American musical.

Who wouldn't like it: Someone in the market for something cerebrally challenging.

Verdict: Three out of Five

The Savoy Theatre has been making a name for itself lately as the home of London's mid 20th Century revivals, seeing off a barn stomping Gypsy late last year and expecting Funny Girl with Sheridan Smith in the spring, it seems only natural that this Great American Musical should be the filling of this very esteemed sandwich, but this production is mostly just baloney.

Starring man-of-the-moment Jamie Parker who's just about to re-write history as a certain Mr Potter, there is much to recommend this glitzy Chichester Festival transfer, with witty songs and dialogue set against a flickering backdrop that evokes Broadway in 'them bad old days'. Choreography comes from Cuban ballet icon Carlos Acosta, with moments of brilliance as the hardened gamblers tumble about trying to find a suitable venue for their illicit gambling.

The story of the seedy underworld of Broadway, littered with petty crooks, gamblers and showgirls, Guys and Dolls is a classic, quotable musical that sees one Nathan Detroit try desperately to find somewhere for his infamous floating craps game. Inspired by a lack of funds he bets high-roller Sky Masterson (a very handsome Parker) $1000 he can't get one of the local missionary girls to go on a date with him to Havana. In the meantime, he's got to contend with some angry gangsters and attempt to save face, but at what cost?

As the uniformed missionaries try to re-educate and save the sinners of Broadway, Sky attempts to lure the pious Miss Sarah (Siubhan Harrison) but ends up losing his heart instead. Harrison's Miss Sarah is fine and hugely pretty, though never quite catches up to Parker's lovestruck mega-wattage, which is a shame in this plot scant production as it might have added a little more heat.

Conversely, Haig and Thompson bank heavily on their long history and chemistry (see Four Weddings and a Funeral) stealing the show as the down on his luck Nathan Detroit and mature showgirl Miss Adelaide. Thompson is hilarious as she waits for Nathan to finally cement their 14-year-long engagement with a wedding, after all, what is she going to tell her mother?

Haig is similarly delightful, enjoying himself as the loveable love rat, juggling Adelaide with his 'business' interests. The paring is the real highlight of the production.

It feels disingenuous to call Guys and Dolls outdated and flimsy, but it seems to largely run on nostalgia and in this world of irreverent musicals like Book of Mormon and Kinky Boots, it feels very old-fashioned, regardless of its setting. Enjoyable, but rather forgettable.

Honourable mention to: Gavin Spokes as Nicely Nicely Johnson, showing off some incredible vocals on Sit Down You're Rocking The Boat!

Guys & Dolls runs at The Savoy Theatre till March 12th.

Reviewed by @ThisisKittyMac on January 5th, 2016.

View our show pages for more information about Guys and Dolls, Savoy Theatre.