The Full Monty

The Full Monty Musical that was inspired by the 1997 British film arrived in Dewsbury
Town Hall this week.
Audiences are transported across the pond to Buffalo, New York where six out of
work steel workers take a chance to turn their luck around and make a couple of
bucks by forming a male stripper group. However, they don't have great bodies and
they are not drop dead gorgeous. Their gimmick is that they will show 'the full
monty,' i.e., they will strip completely naked for their one performance. This
desperate attempt to earn some 'easy' cash so as to make ends meet, soon
becomes a lesson in friendship, love, loyalty and simple good old-fashioned
decency.
The show started and immediately we were transported to a Chippendale Strip
Show where Buddy ‘Keno’ Walsh performs. Lee Sharrat did a great job of getting
the audience in the mood for what was to come and deserves a mention as it can’t
have been easy removing clothes as the first thing you do in a show.
Playing the lead role of Jerry Lukowski was Darren Smith who managed to portray
a likeable character that is emotionally complex while showing the more gentle side
and genuine care and tenderness for his son. Darren sang and danced his way
through the show with ease. The role of his son Nathan, was played by Will Pawson.
This young man has a natural ability on stage and I hope to see more performances
from him in the future.
James Creegan played Dave Bukatinsky, Jerry's best friend who begrudgingly gets
swept along in Jerry's plans. His struggles with unemployment, its effect on his
marriage and his body weight and self-esteem issues were well-depicted. Through
his strong acting skills, James created a very believable character.
First in the friends’ planned line-up is Malcolm MacGregor (Jai Jai Ekins) a shy gay
man  who they rescue from a half-hearted suicide attempt.  This was a fine and at
times moving performance. Following their selection to be part of the group, Malcolm
meets Ethan (Danny Brooks). Their growing relationship was well handled and the
funeral scene quite touching. His energetic yet incompetent attempts at wall-walking
in a Singing In The Rain style had to be admired. Sean Milnes as Noah “Horse” T.
Simmons certainly gave a good account of himself.  He has a great voice as born out
in his solo; Big Black Man and held our attention during his dance routine. There was
a well rounded performance from the experienced Ian Roberts as Harold Nichols, the
men’s former supervisor who has yet to admit to his wife his unemployment.

Whilst the show is mainly about the men’s stories, the women’s roles are vital and
the company had some very strong performers. Tanya Pryor gave a good vocal
performance and character portrayal as Pam Lukowski. Sarah Tolson as Jeannette
Burmeister – the unshockable piano player who showed up (with a piano) to play for
the guys totally out of the blue had great comedy timing and some lovely little
character traits. Rachel Warlop (Georgie Bukatinsky) and Kazia Gamble (Vicki
Nichols) made much of their roles also, both demonstrating some lovely tender
moments.
Of course, the final scene was the showstopper and I understand that there had
been some technical issues earlier in rehearsals where the final lighting effect had
not worked. Thankfully though, CS Technical were en pointe and all the brave men’s
modesty were spared!
As with any major production it is impossible to mention all the actors by name but all
of the supporting cast, embodied the spirit of the production.
The production team of Jane Ellaway (Director), Amy Sherry (Choreographer) and
Anthony Martin (Musical Director) put the cast through their paces to pull every
ounce of comedy, excitement and, at times, heartbreak out of the characters which
had the audience laughing, crying and wanting more. Anthony had assembled a
live band of extremely talented musicians, however, at times they were so loud that
it overshadowed the performers on stage and you could not hear the lyrics of the
songs A point to watch out for in future productions.
Overall, this production had me belly laughing from the start and I thought the
comedy scenes were well balanced with the more emotional scenes as the
characters try and navigate problems in their own personal lives. Although set in the
1980’s these struggles are still all too real in todays society so I was pleased to see
the affiliation the company had with Andy’s Man Club.
Well Done Dewsbury Collegians on a super show.

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