INSPIRED by the underworld stories of Damon Runyon, Guys And Dolls never pretended to be a realistic depiction of New York in the 1950s – even adding the subtitle of “a musical fable of Broadway”.

“It was made in the golden era of Broadway shows,” says director Gordon Greenberg on a break from rehearsals for his debut Chichester production.

“There was a great optimism and joy around at the end of the Second World War. There are references in the show to all the construction going on in New York.

“Because the war wasn't fought on home turf and the US profited from the war machine everyone who came home had jobs. The GI Bill meant people could get low-cost mortgages, and businesses were able to provide goods for these houses.

“One of the great joys of this show is to immerse yourself in the spirit of the time of bounty and plenty.”

The Broadway smash tells the story of hustler Nathan Detroit, desperate to scrape together money to put on a craps game. To raise the cash he bets gambler Sky Masterson $1,000 he can’t take the missionary Sarah Brown on a dinner date to Cuba.

Greenberg describes the gangsters at the heart of the story as “a cross between The Sopranos and Noel Coward”.

“The primary characters are pretty much motivated 100% by love,” he says.

The classic musical will be given a modern slant not only by Chichester’s thrust stage - “putting everything in 3D” according to Greenberg – but also by the choice of Olivier Award-winning contemporary dancer Carlos Acosta as choreographer.

“It’s a great gift having someone like Carlos who sees the whole thing with fresh eyes,” says Greenburg. “Nothing that he choreographs references other shows. His dance references actual research and the physicality from the era and the craps game itself which is rare.

“You can't help but be influenced by art that exists in the world, but because Carlos is in such a different form he has not resorted to a trope or cliche.”

Acosta has been working closely with the director and Singin’ In The Rain choreographer Andrew Wright in what Greenberg describes as a “seamless collaboration”.

“We all contribute and through the natural push and pull we have ended up with the most exciting results,” says Greenberg, adding Acosta’s contribution to the casting process was very important.

“It was fun to watch him for the final call-backs. His reactions were so pure – he had not sat through years of musical theatre auditions. We would see a huge smile light up in his eyes, or he would furrow his brow and look quizzical. We used his baby eyes as a barometer!”

The cast is headed up by former Birds Of A Feather star Peter Polycarpou as Detroit, with Sophie Thompson as his long-suffering fiancee Miss Adelaide.

Taking the role of Sky Masterson is former History Boy Jamie Parker - who Greenberg describes as having stepped off the set of the original Ocean’s 11 - while Clare Foster plays the missionary Sarah Brown.

“The cast we have ended up with are a rare breed,” says Greenberg. “They're highly trained and experienced, hugely comedic and human at the same time.

“The rehearsals have been a really lovely process and I think the joy and energy in the room is going to come through on stage.”

GUYS AND DOLLS Chichester Festival Theatre, Oaklands Park, Chichester, Monday, August 11, to Sunday, September 21