GUYS AND DOLLS

Bristol Old Vic

musical director Neil Rhoden :

directed by John David

Fugue for Tinhorns : Jay Benedict, Robert Oates, and me.

While we were in Puntilla at Stratford East, Julia Hills happened to mention that she was going to audition for a production of Guys and Dolls at the Bristol Old Vic. I decided to gatecrash.  Director John David and M.D. Neil Rhoden were indulgent, allowing me to sing and dance for them. To my delight, I got the job, as did Julia.

From the moment I arrived in Bristol I felt as if I belonged. I can’t explain it.  Initially I took digs in an inner-city area called Montpelier before settling there in 1986 for the next 15 years.

The Guys and Dolls acting company was a very impressive one, headed by Pete Postlethwaite as Nathan Detroit, Dilys Watling as Miss Adelaide, and Clive Wood as Sky Masterson.