Naked Truth

This was a very brave play to produce as it deals with a lot of difficult subjects. When five very different women sign up for Gabby’s pole dancing class at the local village hall, none of them have any idea what lies ahead.  All of them have their own reasons for starting to pole dance - for some it was to restore confidence in themselves - for others it was to get a man and keep him - for others it was to lose weight or start a impending new career.  However, when one of the women receives some overwhelming news, the others soon come together and choose to turn their new talent into a fund-raising event for cancer.  As each of the women’s stories unfurl and they share hilarity and upset in this riotously, heart-rending,  and finally moving play - a call to all ladies, celebrating power through misfortune.  For all its playfulness, The Naked Truth is a play that authentically has spirit and soul, a play for ladies, about women, that guys must absolutely go to watch.

Director Sally Diver was highly sympathetic when directing this play with such diversity of characters evidently clear from the outset. Each of the performers had very individual personality and the range was perfect for the show.  Su Galleymore was hilarious as Bev with her naughty persona evident throughout.  Ellie Wilkins, as Faith, was hysterically funny with her misunderstandings. Tanya Lyons was commanding as the instructor and also a good pole dancer.  Clair Coull as Sarah totally blindsided me when she told us of her terminal diagnosis and continued to live everyday as if it were her last.  This hit home hard and I know just where she was coming from.  Facing up to that is scary but life has many twists and turns.  Jes Moussette was great as Trisha, finally losing her man to Bev, while delivering some unbelievable blows to the other girls. Sarah Dawson was incredible as the feisty Rita, not only that but she was the Choreographer too; teaching all of the girls their pole dancing foray at the end.

The climax of the show was the show within a show at the end where all of the ladies were amazing and showed us their incredible versatility on the pole. A great production with a great set. Thank you to Southwick Players for a great, if a little sad, night out.

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