Sorry James Corden, Dominic Cooper and Russell Tovey – but I once heard Jamie Parker being described as “the most talented of The History Boys” and I think that’s a pretty accurate description.
Parker has come a long way since then – starring as Prince Hal in Henry IV parts 1 and 2, at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. He’s also been recently cast in the coveted role of Harry Potter – the adult – in the plays The Cursed Child parts 1 and 2, which opens in July 2016.
If you can’t wait until the summer, there’s still time to watch Parker in the musical Guys And Dolls, at The Savoy Theatre, London, until March 12. The production then moves to the Phoenix Theatre, but casting for that venue is yet to be announced – so it sounds like this is your last chance to catch Parker performing as lead character Sky Masterson. And very good he is too!
When Nathan Detroit desperately needs money for an illegal dice game, he bets Sky Masterson, a notorious gambler, the sum of $1000 to take a doll (a woman) of Nathan’s choosing to Havana. Nathan chooses Miss Sarah Brown, a straight-laced sergeant in the Salvation Army. In order to persuade her, Sky says he will bring with him ‘one dozen genuine sinner’ to the mission, which is on the verge of being shut down.
Parker has a strong and smooth voice, belting out catchy numbers such as “Luck Be A Lady Tonight.” But he also brings a lot of menace to the role too. The production also reunites David Haig (from the police sitcom The Thin Blue Line) and Sophie Thompson (sister of Emma Thompson) who appeared together in the film Four Weddings And A Funeral.
Haig stars as Nathan, who’s been engaged to his sweetheart Miss Adelaide (Thompson), a cabaret performer, for 14 years – and, let’s say, she’s starting to get a little impatient waiting for him to pop the question. Siubhan Harrison hits the high-notes, and eventually lets her hair down in comic style, as Sergeant Sarah.
You can book online via ATGTickets, by calling the box office on 0844 871 7687 or, to avoid paying booking fees, by visiting the box office in person.
#Peace.Love.GuysAndDolls
