The Full Monty
Information
- Date
- 26th October 2024
- Society
- Chesterfield Operatic Society
- Venue
- Dronfield Civic Centre
- Type of Production
- Musical
- Director
- Karl Brennan-Collis
- Musical Director
- Helen Ingham
- Choreographer
- Mhairi Herring
The Full Monty is a musical with a book by Terrence McNally and score by David Yazbek. In this Americanised stage version, adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, the action has moved from Sheffield to Buffalo, New York. It tells the story of six unemployed steelworkers who have no job, money or prospects. Jerry and Dave overhear their wives and other women discussing how much they have enjoyed watching a male strip show. Jerry, who is desperate for money to pay his outstanding maintenance bills or he will lose access to his son Nathan, comes up with the idea of putting on a strip show where women would pay huge amounts to see ordinary guys stripping. He persuades Dave to go along with the idea and after getting two other workers to join them they decide to hold auditions to co-opt more men. They mange to find two more so the six of them, all shapes and sizes, begin to rehearse and are tested and exposed, both physically and emotionally. Over-coming their fears, self-consciousness and anxieties they come to realise that they are strong together and find solace in their friendship so much so, that when Jerry drops the final bombshell, they find the strength and courage to do ‘The Full Monty’. However, the show is about so much more than ‘stripping’ to earn money, it’s about love, friendship, heartache, homosexuality, parenthood and the corresponding insecurities that occur from being out of work.
There was no set as such just a large scaffolding structure across the back stage wall with what appeared to be lights placed all over it. I must admit I found this a little distracting as all the various scenarios were played in front of this by the use of trucks and props but I do fully appreciate the limitations that a small stage and Hall puts on the overall ‘requirement’ that this show requires to be ‘successful’. That said, the trucks for the ‘Ladies Room’ were excellent as were all the other furniture pieces and props that were used. There was a small easel to one side with a poster advertising a ‘strip show’ and we had a very excitable introduction to Buddy ‘Keno’ Walsh, the professional stripper played by Timothy Collings, who burst on to the stage, proceeding to ‘strip’ in a most provacative, sexy and ‘acrobatic’ manner he most definitely set the heart racing! The main character, Jerry Lukowski, was outstandingly played by Ryan Mitchell. He totally captured the frustrations, the estrangement from his wife, his love for his son and his stubborn drive to fulfil his idea, all of which were achieved with such passion and emotion. He has a fabulous singing voice so evident in the many powerful songs he sings but his singing of ‘Breeze Off The River’, as he sat at the side of the stage, was so movingly and poignantly delivered. There was a great rapport between Jerry and his best mate Dave Bukatinsky who was played by Danny Winson. This role is deemed to be for a larger than normally sized man, and Danny fitted the bill perfectly not only because of his size but because he so brilliantly portrayed the other aspects of the character with such emotional understanding including his self-consciousness, his uncertainties and his quite amiable and lovable nature. The scene with him sitting on the toilet wrapping cling film round his body whilst proceeding to eat crisps was so funny and yet so heart-rending. He too has magnificent singing voice and the duet ‘Man’ with Jerry was wonderful. What a superb performance came from Evan Mason as Malcolm Macgregor. His suicide attempt, from inside of a ‘car’ full of exhaust fumes, was thwarted by Jerry and Dave who so terrifically sang ‘Big-Ass Rock’ (with unbelievable bizarre lyrics) which found Malcolm several times being thrown out of the car but finally ended with him finding ‘friends’. The whole scene was top-notch. So, from his initial feeble, mother’s boy persona, with no friends and from his suicide attempt he blossomed into the most maniacal hip and pelvic thrusting person imaginable, constantly ‘practising’ at every conceivable opportunity. He too has a terrific singing voice and ‘You Walk With Me’ sung with Ethan was just so meaningfully and so heart-warmingly sung. Malcolm’s relationship with Ethan Girard was so touchingly developed and Jack Laird excelled in this role. His impressive dancing skills, as seen in his audition piece, included street dancing, incredible gyrations and acrobatic moves that were just amazing, and he also has a fine singing voice. David Thorpe was totally convincing and delivered a first-rate portrayal as Harold Nicholls, the Factory Manager, and as well as his super acting skills he is a wonderful dancer. John Redhead was perfect as Noah T Simmons, who became the sixth ‘stripper’. His constant running across the stage was a hoot and he certainly impressed the panel when he dropped his trousers!!! Failing to become one of the ‘strippers’ was Reg Willoughby played by Richard Leivers who gave an outstanding masterclass in comedy acting and timing at his audition. His little ‘dances’ between his antics in attempting to take of his clothes were so funny but when from a most ‘noticeable protrusion’ in his underpants he first produced the puppet Sooty, followed by Sweep and then Soo well, I was in stitches, it was just truly hilarious. There was a lovely bond between Jerry and his son Nathan who was so endearingly played by Harry Evans. He was so natural, charming, sincere, kind and helpful towards his father and in no way was overshadowed by his fellow adult actors. A very confident and assured performance came from Kerry Towndrow-Birds as Pam Lukowski, the ex-wife of Jerry. She perfectly captured a no-nonsense attitude towards Jerry but a very protective and loving one towards their son, Nathan. A quite sexy and down to earth approach was excellently portrayed by Danielle Cutts as Georgie Bukatinsky, Dave’s loving wife. Her singing of ‘It’s a Woman’s World’ was splendid as was the whole number that took place in the ‘Ladies’ which was priceless not only from the antics of the women but from those of Jerry and Dave in the ‘cubicle’. Alison Doram was super as Vicki Nicholls firstly as the classy, frivolous, overindulged wife of Harold but on finding out about his situation became most understanding, caring and loving towards him and she is a most fabulous dancer. Naomi King was just exquisite as Jeanette Burmeister the blunt, extremely outspoken, world-weary pianist her slouching body language was so accomplished but at one point we did see a rather striking and different image! Excellent support came from Judith Doram as Molly Macgregor, from Gabrielle Laidlaw as Estelle, from Abbie Hall as Joanie, from Rebekah Petrillo as Susan, from Richard Tooze as Teddy Slaughter, from Timothy Collings as Buddy ‘Keno’ Walsh (mentioned earlier), from Dave Sallis as Tony Giordano, from Liam Power as Police Sergeant & Repro Man, from James Beesley as Minister, Repro Man and Policeman from Jason Finch as Dance Captain (loved the outfit!), from Olivia Bedford as Delores with Helen Welch, Ian Kennedy and David Wood as the Ensemble. Of course, the whole show leads up to the moment - The Full Monty, when all should be revealed in the number ‘Let It Go’ which was so superbly choreographed and meticulously executed by I must say, six extremely brave and super talented men. However, it soon became apparent why there were so many lights on that scaffolding because some over exuberant lighting technician decided that at the very crucial moment it was the time to switch them on and by doing so, spoiling the very over excited audience from seeing ‘The Full Monty’ but saving the ‘faces’, well not literally, of the strippers. There were some extremely funny scenes and some very poignant moments and throughout the singing and excellently executed choreography was all of a very high standard.
A wonderful six-piece orchestra, so lovely to hear when many societies have to settle for backing-tracks, super costumes, good sound and lighting (we’ll forgive the one lighting hiccup!!!!), excellent props and together with an incredibly talented and fabulous cast this was a most entertaining and titillating show obviously enjoyed by the whole cast but most definitely by an enthusiastic and highly audible audience. Many congratulations to Director Karl Brennan-Collins, to Musical Director Helen Ingham, to Choreographer Mhairi Herring, to the Back Stage Crew and indeed to everyone else involved. My special thanks to Amanda, for being a most welcoming and attentive host.
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