The London stage production of Guys & Dolls was saved from cancellation last night when swing Callum Bell stepped into a lead role.
Cedric Neal, who usually plays the role of Nicely Nicely Johnson and both of his understudies were ill and unable to perform. Without Bell taking on the role, the show would have had to be cancelled and hundreds of disappointed audience members turned away.
Bell, 23 has been a swing in the cast and part of its ensemble since it opened in March 2023, but this is his first time taking the lead. His other theatre credits include Half a Sixpence at Kilnworth House and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for Qdos. He is one to watch however, as his film credits include Barbie and the soon to be released film Wonka.
Lily Dyble, Assistant Director said “It was genuinely an electric evening and the audience went wild for Callum – they totally got behind him. It is an insane role to step into on the day! I can’t communicate the scale of it enough or what a massive undertaking it is for Callum.”
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, this extraordinary new immersive production of Guys & Dolls features a fabulous cast including Andrew Richardson (A Call to Spy, The Last O.G) as Sky Masterson, Owain Arthur (One Man, Two Guvnors) as Nathan Detroit, Marisha Wallace (Oklahoma!, Waitress, Dreamgirls) as Miss Adelaide, Celinde Schoenmaker (Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera) as Sarah Brown and Cedric Neal (Motown The Musical, Back to the Future) as Nicely-Nicely Johnson.
The hit musical is based on the story and characters of Damon Runyon, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows.
Guys & Dolls has been running at The Bridge Theatre since March 2023 receiving rave reviews; and is currently booking until 24 February 2024.
Book Guys & Dolls tickets at the Bridge Theatre in London
Photos – Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre
Photos by Manuel Harlan
