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I should
have taken notice of the warning signs. The heavy traffic build-up
around Hurst Street; the throng of excited crowds outside the Hippodrome;
the rising crescendo of animated - and expectant - chatter in a
packed auditorium and .... the largely female dominated audience.
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| The
cast |
And
then the curtain went up and with it the opening announcement -
"Welcome to Ladies Night!" The shrieking, screeching and
howling began, and barely abated for the next two and half hours.
I suddenly felt like an interloper at a Hen Night!
But
then I should have known what to expect. After all I had seen the
hugely triumphant British film version at least three or four times,
so I knew what it was all about. But while the women were (largely)
all eager to have their own particular curiosities satisfied, my
desire was to see just how successfully the film could be transferred
to the stage. I wasn't disappointed. Come to think of it, neither
were the ladies!
Screen
to stage
For
years it's been the stage musicals that have come first with the
film version following; The Full Monty is an exception - and what's
more, an exceptional one! For make no mistake this is one excellent
production. It sticks closely to the original storyline; it's hugely
witty; combines pathos and drama and clearly has the audience on
its side from the very start. In short - just like the film - it's
a joyous winner.
Forget
that the action is re-located from Sheffield, England to Buffalo,
New York State, America - once you've quickly re-adjusted and aligned
yourselves with the change of accent from Tyke to Yank, it could
be anywhere in the world. It's a universal storyline.
Six
steelworkers out of work and out of shape and strapped for cash.
In an attempt to regain some morsel of self dignity they come up
with the bright idea of taking their clothes off - to earn a quick
buck. When times are hard, folk it seems, will do anything - providing
they have camaraderie, trust and plenty of guts and determination.
Breath-taking
pace
The
drama is played out at a breathtaking pace, supported in no small
way by David Yazbek's original score and lyrics, and some brilliant
choreography throughout. The first half finale featuring the six
would-be-dance strippers is absolutely brilliant, as they discover
the best way to their new found art is via a pretend basketball
court. Breathtaking stuff at the end of a half which, at almost
ninety minutes, could benefit from a little tightening up.
Tim
Rogers, last seen at the Hippodrome back in November 2001 in Whistle
Down the Wind, returns triumphantly in the lead role of Jerry (Robert
Carlyle's part in the film). On that occasion he played The (anonymous)
Man. This time there's absolutely no anonymity for him - and a chance
to prove he's very much "a man!" His touching scenes as
a part-time father to Nathan - played with such young excellence
by Edward Molony - were both heart-warming and at times humorous.
Full marks to both!
But
for me - and judging by the end of a show applause, for many others
too - it's big Sion Lloyd who takes the star billing as overweight
Dave. Looking like a cross between Norm in "Cheers" and
the late John Candy, he gives a powerful, and self-pitying performance.
Notable was his solo rendition of "You rule My World",
a touching love song to his own vast beer gut! ("I did try
dieting once," he mourns "But I got hungry .....!")
Alex
Gaumond is a suitably nerdy Malcolm, while Gareth Snook is perfect
as the pompous Harold, the former boss-turned dance tutor who's
trying to hide his job loss from his spendthrift wife. Completing
the "dream team" are David Danns as Horse (His "Big
Black Man" song and dance routine is another show highlight)
and Ethan Girard as Nigel.
In
a strong cast of 24, there's one other worthy of special mention
and that's Jacqueline Clarke who makes a brilliantly comic job of
her role as Jeanette, the ageing rehearsal pianist who's apparently
played with best, and is now well past her own best... It's a marvellous
over-the top performance.
Damn
good fun
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| Poster
for The Full Monty |
The
show is touching, funny, raunchy and above all, damn good fun. The
music, while not memorable (maybe something to do with the mis-balance
between the orchestra and the singer?) does have its tender moments,
most notably Jerry's powerful ballad "Breeze off the River"
and the emotive "You Walk With Me" as Malcolm and Ethan
pay their graveside respects to Malcolm's mother.
Then
of course there's the big moment - the Full Monty itself which brings
both the curtain and the house down. It's all done in the best possible
taste - but more than that I'm not going to say.
You'll
just have to see it for yourselves. I'm sure you won't be disappointed
- whether you're man or woman!
Now read
a female perspective in another
review of The Full Monty »
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