How a swing saved Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre

The latest performance of Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre was saved from cancellation this week thanks to the skills of one particular actor.

Proving just how valuable swings and understudies are to a show, last night saw Callum Bell step into one of the lead roles with no rehearsal.

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 performance of Nicholas Hytner’s critically acclaimed immersive production would have had to be cancelled.

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.”

While Bell has been a swing in the cast and part of its ensemble since March, this was his first time taking the lead role.

Prior to Guys & Dolls, his other theatre credits include Half a Sixpence at Kilnworth House and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for Qdos.

Meanwhile on screen, Bell recently appeared in the hit Barbie movie and will be seen in the soon to be released film Wonka.

Guys & Dolls continues its run at the Bridge Theatre, currently booking until 24 February 2024.