Giles Woodforde talks to director Guy Brigg about Musical Youth Company of Oxford’s upcoming Guys & Dolls show

Telling the story of an improbable romance between a strait-laced Salvation Army girl and a Broadway gambler, Guys and Dolls is one of the most successful American musicals of all time. Now it’s been selected by Musical Youth Company of Oxford (MYCO) as their latest Playhouse production.

“It’s an excellent show to do because there are lots of good roles for both girls and boys,” says director Guy Brigg. “There’s also great potential for chorus work and dancing: there are plenty of big production numbers right the way through the show. So for a company that wants to provide as much experience on stage as possible, it’s a really good challenge.”

“The music is absolutely fabulous too,” adds musical director Julie Todd. “The tunes and songs stick in people’s minds: I can remember a National Theatre production I saw, and in particular the number Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat. You just had such a feeling of joy, it’s that kind of show. It should send everyone out with a big smile on their face.”

Julie, I have always noticed when reviewing past MYCO productions, particularly relishes a big rhythmic number, and Frank Loesser’s score provides plenty of those. “That’s true,” Julie laughs. “You’ve obviously watched me bouncing up and down! As soon as I knew Guys and Dolls was available, I was really keen.”

MYCO currently has about 50 members, aged between 12 and 18, of whom 47 are appearing in Guys and Dolls – Guy Brigg has expanded some of the chorus numbers to include more girls: “There will be a fantastic number with the girls appearing as dancing dice,” he promises. Do schools preselect potential new MYCO members, or are auditions open to allcomers?

“Everything is open to everybody,” Guy replies. “So we have young performers from all over Oxfordshire who come from a variety of different backgrounds, and from both state and public schools. We audition in April, just after our main show of the year: each year we lose our top tranche of performers, and we always think every year that we’re not going to be able to cope when our seasoned performers move on. But other people move up and take their places, it’s an organic process.”

Among that top tranche this year is 18-year-old Amy Vicary-Smith, who plays club performer Miss Adelaide. “She’s a funny, slightly thick, New York dancer,” Amy enthusiastically explains. “She’s been engaged for 14 years, and always has a cold due to the fact she’s unhappy because she’s not married — that’s the theory she and her doctor have anyway. She’s got an allergy to the single state.”

Director Guy Brigg is quick to mention Amy has added layers to a character usually played as a “ditsy dumb blonde”. But how, I ask Amy, would she personally feel at the prospect of being engaged for 14 years? “Oh don’t,” she laughs, “No thanks: I have a boyfriend, but it would be horrendous!”

Guys and Dolls has delightfully colourful names for some characters. There’s notorious Chicago gangster Big Jule, Harry the Horse, and there’s small-time gambler Nicely-Nicely Johnson – played in Oxford by 17-year-old Arran Johnson.

“He’s quite a cheeky chappy,” says Arran. “I don’t see him as sleazy. My Nicely-Nicely is quite Nicely-Nicely: he wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

But, adds Julie Todd, Nicely-Nicely is always eating. So how is Arran going to cope with that for several days on stage?

“I eat a large amount of food in my normal day-to-day life,” Arran laughs. “I’ll be able to cope with it all right — I’ve had a lot of training.”

Guys and Dolls
Oxford Playhouse
April 9–12
Tickets: 01865 305305 or oxfordplayhouse.com