Tonbridge School Takes Audiences to 1950s New York with “Guys and Dolls”
Towards the end of this term, Tonbridge School transported audiences to the vibrant streets of 1950s New York with its dazzling production of the classic Broadway musical Guys and Dolls.
With a cast of 40 talented pupils from Tonbridge, Hillview School, Weald of Kent Grammar School, and Tonbridge Grammar School, supported by a vibrant 30-piece Tonbridge Student orchestra and a dedicated backstage crew of five Tonbridge boys, the production delivered a fresh and modern take on this timeless tale of love, luck, and life.
Gavin Bruce, Tonbridge’s Director of Theatre, explained: “We gave this show a modern twist and kept the staging minimal, letting the actors and the action tell the story. Towering tenement blocks and striking LED light displays showed both the gritty realism and the dazzling energy of the ‘city that never sleeps’.”
Director of Music, Mark Forkgen said: “Guys and Dolls is a masterclass in musical storytelling, with each piece serving as a window into the characters’ inner worlds. For our musicians, it was a rare and rewarding challenge to navigate a kaleidoscope of genres, whilst uncovering how every melody and rhythm contributes to the drama unfolding on stage.”
The ensemble cast were headed up by fantastic performances from Tom (WH5) as Nathan Detroit and his long suffering stage partner and star of the Hot Box, Adelaide, played by Eliza. This comic duo were matched by Ben (OH5) and Eva as the unlikely romantic leads, gambler Sky Masterson and Missionary Sarah Brown. These characters wowed audiences with classic numbers including Luck be a Lady, If I were a Bell, I’ve Never Been in Love Before, Take Back Your Mink and A Bushel and a Peck. Credit also needs to go to Toby (OH3) as Nicely, Nicely Johnson who brought the house down with an electrifying version of Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.
Headmaster James Priory expressed his pride in the students’ accomplishments and the spirit of collaboration. “I am, as ever, in awe of the brilliance of Tonbridge School productions, and the extraordinary effort poured into this play by the cast, crew, and musicians is evident in every detail. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for our boys to collaborate with girls from local schools, building invaluable teamwork skills—and what an enjoyable environment in which to do so.”
