The Full Monty
by Terrence McNally and David Yazbek
The Mitchell Memorial Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent
June 2008
SYNOPSIS
Six unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo, New York are miserable. They have no cash and no prospects. Meanwhile, they catch their wives and other women going crazy over male strippers. The six men then set out to make some quick cash showing off their ‘real man’ bodies by becoming a team of male strippers. As the guys work through their fears, self-consciousness and anxieties they find strength as a group and overcome their inner demons.
REVIEW
The storyline is based on Jerry, an out-of work steel worker, his money worries and the threat of losing custody of his son. In a desperate attempt to earn some cash, he and five friends decide to put on a strip show to rival the Chippendales - for one night only.
In amongst the humour and gags, is the true poignancy of the story ad the problems caused by unemployment that warms the audience to the characters. The cast deal effectively with all the issues covered in the plot, from custody battle to weight problems, relationship worries to being out of work. All six of the leading men were stars, but enjoyable performances also came from sarah Mould, as one of the wives and Sharon Lawton, who played Jeanette, a dry-witted gin-drinking pianist who helps the men to put together the show.
I'd never considered the problems faced by the technical side of the actors stripping in stage - where does the microphone go? Well to find out you'll just have to go and see the show. And of course, the whole show leading up to that one final scene - will they or won't they? I'm not about to spoil it for those yet to attend of course. All I will say is, I take me hat (and only my hat) off to six very brave men.
FEATURED CAST
Jerry Lukowski
Nathan Lukowski
Dave Bukatinsky
Harold Nichols
Malcom MacGregor
Ethan Girard
Noah (Horse) T. Simmons
Craig Armstrong
Lewis Yeomans
Ian Birkin
Tony O'Rourke
Dave Morrey
Andrew Bourne
Paul Williams
FEATURED CREW
Director
Musical Director
Choreographer
Dance Captain
Stage Manager
Costumes
Craig Armstrong
Liz Talbot
Craig Armstrong
Alex Green
Steve Jones
Margaret Noyce
CONNECT WITH US
REVIEWS
