Ticket sales soar for The Full Monty

Newark Amateur Operatic Society is heading for its first sell-out in five years with its production of The Full Monty.

Around 80% of tickets have been sold for the show, which starts on Monday, March 22 at the Palace Theatre, Newark, and ends on March 27.

It has already passed the number of tickets sold at the same time last year for 42nd Street.

The news comes as a huge boost to the society, which failed to turn a profit on its last three shows, West Side Story, Anything Goes and 42nd Street.

Eyebrows were raised when the society announced its intention to put on the production, based on the 1997 film starring Robert Carlyle, not least for the strong language and infamous final scene.

But it now appears that any concerns over the show’s content have been largely disregarded.

The show’s director, Lisa Lee, overseeing her sixth production for the society, said: “I am delighted with the way tickets are selling.

“The success of The Full Monty film has made it easier for the cast to sell the show to their families and workmates. People are coming to Newark for the first time in their lives because they want to see the show.”

This version centres around six unemployed steel workers from Buffalo, New York.

After witnessing the success of a Chippendale’s act, Jerry Lukowski devises a plan to raise money to meet his child support payments by creating his own act, Hot Metal.

He recruits a few friends, but getting them on stage proves harder than he first thought.

Cast members are busy putting the finishing touches to the show.

Rehearsals have been taking place four nights a week and the final scene is being repeatedly practised.

Lisa said: “We are starting to run the whole show together, putting the finishing touches into the dance numbers, and making sure the costume changes go smoothly, particularly for the final strip.

“It is such an iconic moment for the society and they are determined to get it spot-on every night.”

The society’s vice-chairman, Chris Wright, plays Jerry Lukowski.

He said: “We expected The Full Monty to be popular and appeal perhaps to not only our existing audience, but also to new groups of people.”

The rest of Hot Metal are played by Adrian Berry (Dave Bukatinsky) Matthew Bird (Harold Nichols) Justin Day (Malcolm MacGregor) Matthew Shephardson (Ethan Girard) and newcomer Brad Buchanan (Noah “Horse” Simmons).

Jerry’s son, Nathan, will be played in alternate performances by Fred Harvey-Davies and Tom Liwoshko. Adele Lebeter is Jerry’s ex-wife, Pam Lukowski.

Jean Robinson takes on the role as pianist Jeanette Burmeister while Bob Gale plays Teddy Slaughter. Katrina Casterton is Georgie Bukatinsky, Melanie Cooper plays Vicki Nichols, Rachel Keay is Estelle Genovese, Jo Dewberry is Susan Hershey, Lizzie Buckingham plays Joanie Lish and Laura Buntine is Dolores.

Pauline Goodson plays Molly MacGregor, Dave Hold is Marty and a minister, Nick Holden is Buddy “Keno” Walsh and a dance instructor, while Andrew Fearn plays Reg Willoughby and Tony Giordano.

Other parts are played by Georgina Tagg, Nick Oliver and Rae Hold.