THE FULL MONTY

Brentwood Operatic at the Brentwood Theatre

18.01.10

If you're going for the Full Monty, where the heck do you stick your radio mic ?

To find out, you'd have to be part of the enthusiastic audience at the Brentwood Theatre for a very impressive production of David Yazbek's musical.

I have some reservations about the show. Like Whistle Down The Wind, the film has been uprooted and relocated to a brasher, brassier US setting. But I have none about Amy Clayton's slick staging.

Scarcely a weak link in the cast. The six steel workers who strip were led by a great double act from Justin Cartledge as likeable loser Jerry, and Martin Harris as his Homer Simpson sidekick. Real chemistry between these two players, who both seemed incredibly comfortable in their roles. Hitler turned hoofer, Bob Southgate was the foreman Harold who dare not tell his high-maintenance wife he's on the scrap heap. They were joined along the way by suicidal mother's boy Malcolm – a beautifully judged character from Ian Southgate – Ethan [a very watchable Ben Martins] and Ray Johnson's warm, cuddly Horse.

The womenfolk have less to do – lots of squealing and screaming – but there was strong support from Sarah Miles and Sarah O'Sullivan as long-suffering wives.

Terrific cameos from Julie Salter as the seen-it-all, eight-times-wed piano player, Lionel Bishop as the real deal honed-and-toned pin-up, and Max Tanner, totally convincing as the young son who keeps Jerry focused on the prize.

Robert Miles was in charge of the music. The unseen band had just the right edge, and though there's barely a tune in the tricky score, there were many witty numbers: the Losers' Duet, the Barber Shop moment in The Goods, a tender lullaby for Jerry, and a lovely Latin number for Vicki [ Louise Byrne ].

Full marks to the sextet for the Let It Go climax – only a trick of the light robbed the girls of the Full Monty !