Casting News: UK’s first all-Black Guys and Dolls

This Christmas director Michael Buffong transports the smash-hit musical GUYS AND DOLLS up-town to 1939 Harlem in the UK’s first all-Black cast production of this iconic show. Celebrating the off-beat stories of Damon Runyon that made the gangsters and hustlers of New York City infamous, GUYS AND DOLLS is co-produced by the Royal Exchange Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company – the UK’s primary Black led touring theatre company. Ray Fearon as the charming Nathan Detroit leads a cast that includes Ashley Zhangazha, Abiona Omonua and Lucy Vandi. The reimagined GUYS AND DOLLS is developed with the award winning hip-hop dancer and choreographer Kenrick ‘H20’ Sandy and runs from 2 December – 27 January.

Director Michael Buffong said: “Pre-war Harlem was all about the hustle. The creativity of that era was born from a unique collision of talent and circumstance as people escaped the agricultural and oppressive South via the ‘underground railroad’ into the highly urbanised and industrialised North. Much of our popular culture, from dance to music, has its roots in that period. Our GUYS AND DOLLS brings all of this to the fore, in superb, celebratory style.”

Nathan Detroit (Ray Fearon) and Sky Masterson (Ashley Zhangazha) take every opportunity to hustle, settling every dispute with a roll of the dice. Lady Luck is on their side, until one night they both take a chance on love. With unforgettable songs including Luck Be A Lady, Sit Down You’re Rocking The Boat and the infectious title number, this high-energy production captures the allure of secrecy, and the romance of living on the edge.

Runs December 2017 – 27 January 2018 | Royal Exchange Theatre