The Full Monty - The Musical (Old Joint Stock Musical Theatre Company)
Probably the least likely venue for this rather revealing musical, the intimate surroundings of the Old Joint Stock Theatre with the audience in close proximity must have been a slightly unnerving prospect for the male cast of the Full Monty Musical. However some inventive directing and choreography from Adam and Pippa Lacey allows action almost inches from the public to feel like a much larger and more expansive arena and a set consisting of just a small amount of scaffolding is transformed into a multitude of locations.
Alex Wadham’s confident Jerry and Oliver Britten’s almost broken Dave build a deeply empathetic relationship at the centre of this story about deflated, out of work steelworkers in Buffalo, New York. Jerry’s idea to stage a male strip show purely to meet the maintenance demands of his ex wife is greeted initially with laughter and derision but, is ultimately destined for success as they build their team soon to be known as Hot Metal who will provide ‘the goods’ and go all the way.
Some highly effective characterisation from the cast, Duncan Burt is an excellent as ‘mummy’s boy’ Malcolm with a stand out singing voice, an ageing yet still well endowed and aptly named ‘Horse’ is portrayed with charm by Aaron Mwale, Rhys Owen’s ex management, now slightly nervous dance instructor Harold is perfectly pitched and the slightly crazy Ethan (constantly trying to emulate Donald O’Connor in Singing in the Rain) is a class piece of acting from Jack Ballard.
A quartet of dazzling ladies with voices to match appear as either wives, ex wives or attendees at strip shows, Sam Carlyle as Dave’s highly supportive wife Georgie, Auriol Hatcher as Jerry’s not unacceptably demanding ex wife Pam and Jenefer Trapp as Harold’s very loving wife Vicky. Topping the metaphorical tree of performance though is Kirsty Cartwright as ageing accompanist Jeanette, an exceptional piece of comic acting that must be seen to truly acknowledge.
Completing the cast are Bradley Walwyn in a number of roles and importantly the first to start removing his clothes to the delight of the female members of the enthralled audience and at this performance James Blake-Butler as Nathan, son of Jerry and Pam, doing all he can to keep them both in his life.
Special mention must go to Paul and Hannah Finch from Theatre SSL as a highly effective ‘Technical Team’, vital for this production and saving the modesty of the members of Hot Metal with that final piece of lighting magic.
Running until 1st September 2018, this is a really enjoyable and entertaining show, so get some tickets and head on in to Birmingham for a night of musical theatre you won’t regret.
Book Here
Alex Wadham’s confident Jerry and Oliver Britten’s almost broken Dave build a deeply empathetic relationship at the centre of this story about deflated, out of work steelworkers in Buffalo, New York. Jerry’s idea to stage a male strip show purely to meet the maintenance demands of his ex wife is greeted initially with laughter and derision but, is ultimately destined for success as they build their team soon to be known as Hot Metal who will provide ‘the goods’ and go all the way.
Some highly effective characterisation from the cast, Duncan Burt is an excellent as ‘mummy’s boy’ Malcolm with a stand out singing voice, an ageing yet still well endowed and aptly named ‘Horse’ is portrayed with charm by Aaron Mwale, Rhys Owen’s ex management, now slightly nervous dance instructor Harold is perfectly pitched and the slightly crazy Ethan (constantly trying to emulate Donald O’Connor in Singing in the Rain) is a class piece of acting from Jack Ballard.
A quartet of dazzling ladies with voices to match appear as either wives, ex wives or attendees at strip shows, Sam Carlyle as Dave’s highly supportive wife Georgie, Auriol Hatcher as Jerry’s not unacceptably demanding ex wife Pam and Jenefer Trapp as Harold’s very loving wife Vicky. Topping the metaphorical tree of performance though is Kirsty Cartwright as ageing accompanist Jeanette, an exceptional piece of comic acting that must be seen to truly acknowledge.
Completing the cast are Bradley Walwyn in a number of roles and importantly the first to start removing his clothes to the delight of the female members of the enthralled audience and at this performance James Blake-Butler as Nathan, son of Jerry and Pam, doing all he can to keep them both in his life.
Special mention must go to Paul and Hannah Finch from Theatre SSL as a highly effective ‘Technical Team’, vital for this production and saving the modesty of the members of Hot Metal with that final piece of lighting magic.
Running until 1st September 2018, this is a really enjoyable and entertaining show, so get some tickets and head on in to Birmingham for a night of musical theatre you won’t regret.
Book Here
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