THE FULL MONTY - THEATRE REVIEW

THE FULL MONTY AT THE WOLVERHAMPTON GRAND THEATRE

Theatre Run: Monday 24 - Saturday 29 November 2014
Performance Reviewed: Monday 24 November (Press Night)

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

Yes, you do.

Everything.

Well, that obligatory bit of housekeeping should placate the riff raff and nosey parkers, and leaves me with something approaching an intellectual and insightful review to write…. here goes nothing!

In truth, as was the case with Peter Cattaneo and Simon Beaufoy’s wildly successful 1997 Brit film on which this show is based, The Full Monty has a great deal more going for it than just the curiosity of it’s titular (titilating?) USP. Crowds will no doubt flock to the show for much the same reason as it’s in-universe audience mob the likes of the ‘Chippendales’ and likewise, and indeed on stage Monty has the added benefit of being able to do some particularly fitting fourth wall breaking and lay down the post-modern throughout. But behind the hen party hysterics and art-imitating-life cheekiness, the same fundamentally relatable and engaging, not to mention oft hilarious, script and storytelling is what really leaves an impression long after the memory of bum cheeks and beyond have faded.

BRASSED OFF - THEATRE REVIEW

BRASSED OFF AT THE WOLVERHAMPTON GRAND THEATRE

Theatre Run: Tuesday 08 - Saturday 12 April 2014
Performance Reviewed: Tuesday 08 April 2014 (Press Night)

Reviewed by Kyle Pedley

There is a great deal to admire about the Touring Consortium Theatre Company’s latest production, Brassed Off, both as a slice of sophisticated, characterful British theatre, an effecting yet not overbearing observation on the decimation of the mining industries and communities of the 80’s and early 90’s, and as a production as a whole. Brilliantly in-keeping with the shows overall message of community solidarity and supporting the everyman, this touring production has invited local brass bands to provide the titular accompaniment on each leg of its run, and it’s week-long engagement at the Wolverhampton Grand theatre has seen that opportunity fall upon the Jackfield Brass Brand from Shropshire. It is no gimmick or marketing ploy - the brass bands in question form the heart and soul of Brassed Off’’s very raison d’etre, and the knowledge alone that it is such working folk as are depicted in the show on stage, performing adds a nice sense of poetic symmetry to proceedings, and further cements the sense of camaraderie lain down by the astute writing and talented cast.