The Full Monty
Review of the Production - Accrington Observer 10 November, 2006
Reviewed by Stephanie Turner.
Saucy show is a real treat for ladies
IT'S hard to not be atittle excited at the prospect of watching
six grown men prancing around on stage wearing nothing brit a spangly
thong and the Accrington Theatre Group certainly didn't disappoint
with their latest production of The Full Monty which was entertaining,
emotional and a little bit saucy.
Unlike the motion picture film which was based in Sheffield, the stage show took the audience to Buffalo, New York. The opening scene is set in Tony Giordano's club with male stripper The Body strutting his stuff to the delight of a very giggly audience. After being laid off from the factory, lead characters and best friends Jerry Lukowski (Adam Whittle) and Dave Bukatinsky (Simon Pickup) put on a hilarious double act as they wonder how they will earn an few extra dollars. Jerry stumbles upon the idea of setting up a strip group of "real men" and despite his young son Nathan (Keiffer Cook) being truly embarrassed, he sets up an afternoon of auditions.
A group of men who are too old, too fat and too weedy turn out to be the perfect combination.
The pelvic thrusts and catchy songs lead into the interval and the audience is left eager to see what the group has in store for the big finale.
A particularly funny scene was set in Harold's (Howard G Raw) house where the team undress in front of each other for the first time. The interesting variety of underwear is very telling of the different personalities and the audience - which is surprisingly dominated by ladies - erupts into laughter as the characters wander around on stage in their smalls.
Jerry is desperat to raise $1,000 for child support or he risks losing access to his son. The final show is his onty hope and as the tipsy audience pile in to the club, the Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre is transformed into a strip club complete with flashing lights and a crowd of women whooping and laughing hysterically.
The show was fantastic and as the audience left the theatre it was hard to spot anyone without a cheeky smirk lighting up their face. And did the cast actually go the full monty? You'll have to find out for yourselves.
The Full Monty is directed and choreographed by Howard G Raw, the musical director is Paul Nicholls. The show will end on Saturday, for more infonnation contact the theatre on 380297.