In May 2006 the Potato Room Players presented The Full Monty.
Take six out-of-work steel workers. Add a determination to succeed against all odds. These guys show what they are made of in this hit Broadway musical based on the famous British film. The Full Monty has an all new modern musical score and is packed with laughter and pathos. It's raunchy themes and its gritty dialogue make it an Adults Only show.
REVIEW
The 1997 film The Full Monty, which was made on a shoestring, told the story of out of work Sheffield steelworkers who decide to perform a daring striptease to earn some money. This story has now been transformed into an explicit American song and dance spectacular, which will raise quite a few eyebrows. I must therefore mention at the outset that the show contains on-stage nudity and the inclusion of four letter words. The Full Monty is the latest production from the Potato Room Players.
The Potato Room Players has gathered one of the strongest casts ever to perform the show, which has now moved from Sheffield to Buffalo in upstate New York. This city had a similar fate to Sheffield with the closure of its steel mills and high unemployment.
The musical has a catchy pop score and among the differences between the show and the film is that the homophobia of one of the leading characters has now been emphasised and a gay relationship that was merely hinted at in the movie has now been made more explicit. The women, who were just supporting roles in the film, become more prominent and have some strong scenes. One character brought into the stage production is Jeanette, the rehearsal pianist whereas in the film the dancing was done to a cassette player.
There are a large number of principals in the production with the six male dancers/strippers plus their respective partners, family members and friends. However, I feel I must highlight one or two of these principals in particular for their outstanding performances.
Firstly there is David Kirk playing the main role of Jerry Lukowski, whose singing and acting are both excellent. He is ably supported by Jonny Tate as Dave Buckatinsky, and by Joey Taylor as Nathan, Jerry’s son.
However, this is a show that gives every member of the company, and there are 35 in all, a chance to shine. Every single person has either a funny one-liner, an attempted strip, a cameo performance or a humorous walk on to perform.
The music by David Yasbek takes a little getting used to at first but soon grows on you and there are some quite catchy numbers as the musical progresses. One very humorous one, towards the end of the first half, is “Big Black Man”, when Noah Simmons, played by Robin Reid, comes along to audition for the troupe. I particularly liked the ballad “You Rule My World” which is the penultimate song in the first half, and is reprised as the penultimate number in the second half as well.
On some of the numbers I felt that the orchestra, situated above the actors at the back of the stage, and under the direction of Jim Lunt, was a little too loud at times. Perhaps this was because I was in the circle on a direct line with them and it may have been better in the stalls. They were better in the second half, so maybe someone else had noticed this and mentioned it during the break.
The final number, which brings the house down, “Let It Go” has the audience joining in the chorus, “Hey, hey whadda ya say, Buffalo men go all the way!” But do they? That is the question. To find out you will have to get along to the show and find out for yourself!
This is another excellent show from the Potato Room Players, and is extremely well directed by Stuart Woolf. Considering the limitations with the size of the stage at City Varieties he has done a tremendous job with the various changes of scene. Also mention must be given to Jacqui Drake, choreographer of the show, for the dancing numbers and the ability to accommodate a large cast on the stage during these without it appearing to be overcrowded.
The Potato Room Players have a complete change of style for their next production, which is very much a family show. This is “Oliver” and will be performed in November at the City Varieties. I look forward in anticipation to being considered “one of us”.
John Burland
Dine Direct Theatre Reviewer