The Island Savoyards are rounding off a busy year by putting on another show - the musical Guys and Dolls.

The amateur theatre society has had a busy 2022 as they marked their 50th anniversary.

They have already brought Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame to Shanklin Theatre, which was swiftly followed by a 50th anniversary gala. 

The Savoyards are excited to be bringing the Broadway classic Guys and Dolls back to the Island.

Widely regarded as one of the best musical comedies, audiences will be transported to the streets of Manhatten and the bars of Havana, with hit songs such as Luck Be a Lady, Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat and The Oldest Established in this unlikeliest of love stories.

Isle of Wight County Press: Rehearsals for Guys and Dolls are underway.Rehearsals for Guys and Dolls are underway. (Image: Island Savoyards)

A film adaptation of the musical was released in 1955 starring Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons and Vivian Blaine.

Guys and Dolls, based on The Idyll of Sarah Brown by Damon Runyon, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling, tells the story of gambler Nathan Detroit who tries to find the cash to set up the biggest craps game in town while the authorities breathe down his neck.

Meanwhile, his girlfriend and nightclub performer, Adelaide, laments that they've been engaged for 14 years. Nathan turns to fellow gambler, Sky Masterson, for the dough, and Sky ends up chasing the straight-laced missionary, Sarah Brown, as a result.

It’s a whirlwind of a musical that eventually sees everyone end up right where they belong.

The Island Savoyards welcome new and returning members in principal roles.

Daniel Farmer steps into Frank Sinatra’s shoes as Nathan Detroit. This is Daniel’s third consecutive show with the Savs, having played Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors and Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Bertie Everson is welcomed back as the smooth talking Sky Masterson. Savoyard’s audiences will remember Bertie as The Beast in Beauty and the Beast in 2011, as Harold Bride in Titanic and Sir Galahad in Spamalot.

Harley Mackness takes on the role of Adelaide. Harley has performed notable roles for Savoyards such as Eva Peron in Evita, The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Rita in Made in Dagenham.

Holly Gardiner returns as Sarah Brown in her first role with Savoyards since playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz in 2016. 

This production of Guys and Dolls relies on the creative talents of Peter Reed in his directorial debut for the company, musical director Andrew Woodford leading the live orchestra and Rosie Sales keeping step as choreographer.

To win two tickets, simply answer the question in today's County Press and follow the instructions about how to enter.

If you're unsuccessful, get your tickets for Guys and Dolls directly from Shanklin Theatre on 868000, online at www.shanklintheatre.com or by visiting the box office.

Performance are at 7.30pm on Thursday, October 27, Friday, October 28, and Saturday, October 29, and at 2.30pm on Sunday, October 30.