April 10, 2007
Transplanted from Sheffield in Yorkshire to Buffalo, New York and with a raft of original songs, this musical take on the hit film works well as a musical. Focusing, like the original, on the lives and trials of a bunch of unemployed ex-steelworkers out to make a few bucks, this production by the local BMH Company kept a near full house entertained on its opening night.
Minor criticisms first: there are a few too many scene changes involving the movement of blocks and stage dressing that mean the show is a little disjointed at times; and the ladies could do with better amplification in their ensemble numbers. This said, I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Pace is good, scene changes aside, and the energy of the cast is commendable in a production with over a dozen songs in it. The live music, provided by the eleven piece ‘Full Monty Band’, was excellent, most especially the keyboard playing of Nia Williams.
Standouts amongst an excellent cast were Edward and Andy Blagrove as Dave and Jerry, respectively. Both sang superbly in creating and sustaining a thoroughly believable pair of mates down on their luck. Gaurav Kumar was a splendid Horse, especially in his audition piece, while Andrew Stott (Ethan), Matt Lock (Malcolm) and Dave Crewe (Harold) skilfully completed the ad hoc strippers, Hot Metal. Chilina Madon as the boy’s accompanist and muse, Jeanette, made a fabulous old stager and showed excellent comic timing. Julia Seymore (Georgie – Dave’s wife) sang well, especially in a fine duet with Catharine Evans (Vicki – Harold’s wife). Catharine herself had the finest comic performance of the evening with a superbly performed rendition of Life with Harold, a hymn to consumerism as a factor in a happy marriage. Mention must also be made of Jacob Loftus, as a very good Nathan - Jerry’s son - the youngest cast member by a fair distance.
With good support from the rest of an energetic cast the show climaxed with the eponymous act and a well deserved ovation. BMH deserve hearty congratulations for this production of a large scale musical – well directed and choreographed by Guy Brigg, with excellent musical direction from Mark Denton – using local performers. Best wishes for the rest of the run.
Minor criticisms first: there are a few too many scene changes involving the movement of blocks and stage dressing that mean the show is a little disjointed at times; and the ladies could do with better amplification in their ensemble numbers. This said, I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Pace is good, scene changes aside, and the energy of the cast is commendable in a production with over a dozen songs in it. The live music, provided by the eleven piece ‘Full Monty Band’, was excellent, most especially the keyboard playing of Nia Williams.
Standouts amongst an excellent cast were Edward and Andy Blagrove as Dave and Jerry, respectively. Both sang superbly in creating and sustaining a thoroughly believable pair of mates down on their luck. Gaurav Kumar was a splendid Horse, especially in his audition piece, while Andrew Stott (Ethan), Matt Lock (Malcolm) and Dave Crewe (Harold) skilfully completed the ad hoc strippers, Hot Metal. Chilina Madon as the boy’s accompanist and muse, Jeanette, made a fabulous old stager and showed excellent comic timing. Julia Seymore (Georgie – Dave’s wife) sang well, especially in a fine duet with Catharine Evans (Vicki – Harold’s wife). Catharine herself had the finest comic performance of the evening with a superbly performed rendition of Life with Harold, a hymn to consumerism as a factor in a happy marriage. Mention must also be made of Jacob Loftus, as a very good Nathan - Jerry’s son - the youngest cast member by a fair distance.
With good support from the rest of an energetic cast the show climaxed with the eponymous act and a well deserved ovation. BMH deserve hearty congratulations for this production of a large scale musical – well directed and choreographed by Guy Brigg, with excellent musical direction from Mark Denton – using local performers. Best wishes for the rest of the run.