Immersive "Guys and Dolls" Revival to Open in February, 2023 at the Bridge Theatre in London's West End

 By James V. Ruocco

A new staging of Frank Loesser's iconic 1950's musical "Guys and Dolls" is set to open in central London at the Bridge Theatre in February, 2023.
The good news: this isn't just any revival.
The yet-to-be-cast production, directed by Nicholas Hytner (Director of the National Theatre from 2003-2015) will be performed  - up close and personal - in an completely immersive setting that will place theatergoers on the streets of Manhattan and the back alleys of Havana, Cuba to experience song-and-dance shows, crap games, dice rolling, late-night clubbing, religious sermons by mission bands, and romantic love stories involving two decidedly different couples. There's also a big sinner's revival, a wedding and a very happy ending.

Prior to "Guys and Dolls," Hytner has staged several plays at the Bridge Theatre including "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Young Marx," "Julius Caesar, "Beat the Devil," "A Christmas Carol," "Two Ladies" and most recently, "Straight Line Crazy" starring Ralph Fiennes.
Other directorial credits include "Miss Saigon," "Les Miserables," "Carousel," "The Madness of King George," "The History Boys," "Talking Heads," "Hamlet," "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Major Barbara."

"Guys and Dolls" is the first musical to be staged at the Bridge.
First performed on Broadway in 1950 and followed three years later by its debut in London's West End, "Guys and Dolls" is based on two short stories by Damon Runyon. Written for the stage by Abe Burrows, the two-act musical charts the hilarious misadventures of the New York City underworld's gangsters, wheeler dealers, gamblers, showgirls and other assorted characters.

The Frank Loesser score (he composed the music and lyrics) features several popular showtunes including "Luck Be a Lady," "Fugue for Tinhorns," "I'll Know," "A Bushel and a Peck," "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat," "I'll Know," "If I Were a Bell," "Take Back Your Mink," "Guys and Dolls" and "I've Never Been in Love Before."

The 2023 revival is being choreographed by Arlene Phillips. Tom Brady serves as musical director. Charlie Rosen is in charge of orchestrations. Bunny Christie is costume designer. Lighting design is by Paule Constable. Paul Arditt will design the sound for the Bridge Theatre presentation. Charlotte Sutton is casting director.

Per a statement from the Bridge Theatre booking staff: "In 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' you raved with us in the forest. In 'Julius Caesar,' you ran wild with us as the mob.
"Now, come join us on Broadway for the biggest party yet as The Bridge transforms for one of the greatest musicals of all time.
"It has more hit songs, most laughs and more romance than any other show written."

"Guys and Dolls" will begin previews at the Bridge Theatre (3 Potters Field Park, London, UK) February 27, 2023 with opening night slated for March 9, 2023.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturdays
Tickets are £15 to £150.
Email: boxoffice@bridgetheatre.co.uk
For tickets or more information, call 0333 320 0051.
website: bridgetheatre.co.uk.

Upcoming Bridge Theatre productions include "The Southbury Child" (July 1-August 27, 2022), a new play by Stephen Beresford starring Alex Jennings; and Henrik Ibsen's "John Gabriel Borkman" (September 24-November 26, 2022) starring Simon Russell Beale.