Low Down

Seeing how much their wives enjoy watching male strippers during their "Girls' Night Out," unemployed steelworkers in Buffalo, New York come up with a bold way to make some quick cash. In the process they find renewed self-esteem, the importance of friendship and the ability to have fun.

Review

Hold on to your knickers! A gang of determined unemployed steelworkers are back in town to display their assets and belt out some hit and miss pseudo rock numbers by David Yazbek in the recent musical theatre take on the original 1997 smash hit Fox motion picture. First performed on Broadway almost a decade ago, this tale concentrates on overcoming your inner demons and finding strength in camaraderie. A couple of physically rather standard examples of the male species prove that they can rival flawless Chippendale bodies and succeed in saving their dignity and finances by rediscovering the true value in themselves and their lives. This current production started off in regional Catford and is now enjoying a season in town at the New Players

A bizarre location change from Sheffield England to Buffalo, New York means that despite closely following the script of the original film, the general irony and humour central to the writing, have not transferred well. Songs with lyrics such as "A big-Ass rock" only emphasize the Americanisation and apart from the generic but well executed company number "It’s a woman’s world", the musical compositions don’t kick up much of a stir really. During the audition number "A big black man" it’s hard not to slide down your seat a bit as the clichés are sprung upon us just a bit too hard and fast.

So, we plod along from the men learning about what their wives really think about them by listening through a loo stall door at a nightclub, to conflicts between fathers, sons, stepfathers and ex-wives, and a suicide attempt which result in yet another lost soul joining the unconventional strip venture. Even the occasional show bizz anecdote banter thrown in from old timer piano accompanist Jeanette (played by a very capable and entertaining Anthony Wise) and her "Showbiz number" can’t really take the comedy level up to the required notch.

Given a tough piece of meat to chew their way through, full marks therefore go to most of the cast for triumphing through it all in the end. Although certainly an incentive to some of the flushing audience members, it is actually not just the flaying male members exhibited in semi-darkness in the finale that catch our eye. Rather, there are some poignant moments well executed, such as the realisation of homosexuality of two friends "You walk with me") with a vocally stunning performance by Gareth Nash as Malcolm. Adam Bayjou as Jerry Lukowski is a reasonable actor but doesn’t always reveal the required depth to portray the complexity of the character he is portraying. Tegwen Tucker however as his ex wife Pam shows that she is a formidable actress with all the bite and feistiness of a lemon vodka stinger. Equally, Adam Colborne as their teenage son manages to convince as a juvenile, never an easy feat for someone who has long since been there and done that.

Peter St James as Dave Butakinsky touches a sentimental nerve duetting with his bulging stomach in "You rule my world". Nick Fawcett as Harold is endearing although his limelight is stolen by Charleen Qwaye playing his wife Vicki, a saucy and yet vulnerable formidable girating mover who makes Mr Motivator look rather tranquil. The other women play their parts adequately but one cannot help but think that many seem a tad youthful looking and a couple of voices also seem at the uncomfortable limit of their belt range. Herve Goffings as "Horse" and his arthritis-ridden dance audition has to be the male stand out of the evening, apart from the practically picture perfect Charlie Swan, Chippendale extraodinaire who proves he isn’t just a pretty face when it comes to talent on a stage.

Always a hen party favourite, Full Monty the musical does deliver more than simply what the title implies however, the level of profundity or wit is limited and the evening is saved by some decent staging, good direction, as well as a committed and passionate cast.

Reviewed by Jennifer Reischel 2.12.2009 - 2.1.2010

Website :

http://www.newplayerstheatre.com/london/events/thefullmonty.asp