In November 2007 the Potato Room Players presented The Full Monty by public demand following their 2006 show.
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
“I feel I must highlight one or two of these principals in particular for their outstanding performances. Firstly there is David Kirk (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, 30 in all, a chance to shine. Every single person has either a funny one-liner, an attempted strip, or a cameo performance.
The music by David Yasbek takes a little getting used to at first but soon grows on you and there are some catchy numbers as the musical progresses. One humorous one, towards the end of the first half, is Big Black Man, when Noah (Horse) 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.
I felt that situating the orchestra above the actors at the back of the stage was a good move and under the direction of Jim Lunt, performed extremely well and allowed the performers to shine.
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 an 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-Sweiss, choreographer of the show, for the dancing numbers and her ability to accommodate a large cast on the stage.”
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John Burland
BBC website