The Full Monty (Bilston Operatic Society)

If you are expecting to see a group of Sheffield Steelworkers having been made redundant and taking their clothes off to the strains of Tom Jones's 'You Can Leave Your Hat On' accompanied by the sounds of a thousand screaming northern housewives, you might be slightly confused by the musical version which has been very much Americanised by David Yazbek and is now set in Buffalo, New York.

Having said this the story is the same and revolves around the core characters of Jerry Lukowski and Dave Bukatinksy, out of work and losing all confidence as their wives are now the 'bread winners' and looking for a way to regain some independence and take back some control of their lives. Dominic Smith is a convincingly outspoken yet secretly scared Jerry, playing opposite a dominant Amy Frost as frustrated ex-wife Pam who has moved on and is keen to see Jerry take control of his future and do the same.

Joseph James is the self-conscious Dave, wrongly concerned that his body shape no longer makes him attractive to any woman, least of all concerned wife Georgie played impeccably by Laura Canadine. Ex foreman Harold played with increasing nervous anticipation by Mike James has yet to tell his wife Vicky (a sublime piece of character acting from Joy Brown) about his job loss and continues to shower her with gifts when all she really wants is him.

The aptly named ‘Horse’ trying to regain his youth played with complete accuracy by Patison Harrigan, rather geeky ‘mother’s boy’ Malcolm attempting to prove that there is more to him than anybody might imagine played with consummate skill by Stephen Burton-Pye and the well endowed Ethan, continuously attempting an athletic feat that only leads to his constant injury, a piece of hugely entertaining stagecraft from Jake Winwood.

Pull theses six ‘misfits’ together, for one night only and you have ‘Hot Metal’ a group to rival The Chippendales in every way you didn’t think possible.

Let’s not forget two almost show stealing performances from Owen White as Jerry & Pam’s son Nathan and Sarah Houghton as brazen accompanist Jeanette, delivering some of the best ‘one liners’ you’ll ever hear on a stage.

Yet again I find an obscene level of talent in the production team with Laura Canadine not only on stage in a leading role but, also taking the reins as Producer/Director, ably assisted by Dan Tomkinson as Musical Director and Robin Morrison as Production/Stage Manager.

You’ll have to buy a ticket if you want to find out if the guys go all the way but, even if they didn’t (and I’m not revealing that secret), this is a night of entertainment not to miss and there are very few performances left as the run finishes on Saturday 10th November 2018.

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