The Full Monty

THE FULL MONTY - THE MUSICAL

Presented by

MELLOW DRAMATICS

Finally, we’re treated to the much-awaited Mellow Dramatics production of The Full Monty. A victim of lockdown protocols, I think the cast were ready to go on this judging by the relish they collectively brought to the stage.

Our two main protagonists Andrew Warner as Jerry Lukowski and Jonny Salt as Dave Bukatinsky, jelled well in their pivotal roles, together with Joe Bromfield as Harold Nichols; Andrew Booth as Malcolm McGregor; Ross Harris as Ethan Girard and Connor Joel as Noah (Horse) T. Simmons. Hats off and everything else off to all of them, no easy feat to bare all live on stage.    

Finding themselves out of work, trying and failing to survive on Union subsistence pay, dealing with feelings of emasculation, hurt and desperation, the cast brilliantly portrayed this collective depression with such a gritty reality the audience thoroughly engaged and felt invested in the characters and were ultimately carried along with them on their journey back to self-respect and dignity

Jerry and Dave’s wives, Pam Lukowski, Amy Glover; together with Georgie Bukatinsky, Natalie Veasey, very ably supported by a screaming selection of “Woo Girls”! Showed amazing empathy and support for their relevant spouses, with various every day back stories of neglect and missing child support, families living apart, teenage children torn between battling parents this is a truly gritty drama between the laugh out loud comedy and pulsing dance numbers.

On the music front I have to say this was one of the best show band audiences mixes I have ever heard, I could hear every nuance, particularly from the guitar and keyboards, utterly superb job from Chris Moss and Team. Musical Director Edward Moore, similarly, with the singing voices, well-rehearsed and confidently performed, some challenging switches to falsetto in places which were easily handled.

Director Donna Nolan ably assisted by Becky Winfield, teased out some fabulous performances from her talented cast. Fabulous costumes and lighting, great voices from the opening numbers onwards. Witty lyrics and at times black humour throughout, very much reflecting the situations each person was dealing with. The well-lit and shaped vignettes on “You Rule My World” were excellent. Malcolm’s solo beautifully sung, with the rain back projection, such subtle touches make shows/companies memorable, Slick dialogue throughout, must also mention Natasha Ingham, as Jeanette Burmeister and Rachel Histed as Vicki Nichols to name but a few, great performances all round.

Choreographer Catherine Moore made the movement look natural throughout, which painted the scenes well especially the hilarious histrionic shambles of the boys first dance rehearsal so well observed and played The use of the different levels for certain numbers also created good visual interest throughout.

Great show, well worth the wait.

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