***** (5 stars)
“A blissful hour of musical cabaret”
Big Band Does productions have revived their Guys sing dolls concert format following a successful preview in 2024 at Dirty Martini and the company unite four stunning singers, Scott Coltman, Chris McLeish, Marc Mackinnon and Alistair Robertson drawn from across Scotland who deliver a blissful hour of musical cabaret laced with comedy.
The premise is simple four accomplished singers deliver songs most popularly performed by women to great comedic effect but also deliver moments of pathos driven truth that touches the heart. Especially in the case of McLeish heartfelt rendition of Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now. The ballads sit perfectly in a programme that includes up tempo numbers and musical theatre classics including an impressive “Gotta get a gimmick” from the titular “Gypsy”.
Produced and Directed by Coltman and Jonnie Grant, female performers are not totally excluded from the performance thanks to a show stopping guest performance from “Heckler” Pippa Evans who gives an inspired take on Oliver’s reviewing the situation to brilliant comic effect.
The whole show is anchored by stylish piano playing from acclaimed musical director Neil Metcalf in a show that embodies the spirit of late-night cabaret with joyful comedy in a mix that shows the very best of the Fringe spirit.
Guys Sing Dolls as a limited Fringe run with just one more performance scheduled on 14th August which is sold out but due to overwhelming demand an additional late-night performance has been scheduled for Saturday 23rd August at 22:30 and would make the perfect finale to a day at the festivals so be sure to grab what remaining tickets there are!
Guys Sing Dolls, Studio at Paradis in Augustines Venue 152, for info go to: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/guys-sing-dolls
ScotsGay Arts 