THE GLEE CLUB till 18 October
Manchester
THE GLEE CLUB: by Richard Cameron.
Library Theatre Company at The Library, Manchester to 18 October.
Runs: 2hr 15min - One interval.
TICKETS:0161 236 7110.
www.librarytheatre.com.
Review: Stoon Barar 16 October 2008 (mat).
Those Calendar Girls would run a mile.
Set in a South Yorkshire village in summer 1962, this has none of the politics of coal-dust sagas One Big Blow and Brassed Off, as work’s a plenty. Yet, in common with the other two plays, it features a group of miners who perform publicly, in this case singing medleys of old-time songs and show favourites; they are The Glee Club.
The core quartet is Jack, Scobie, Walt & Bant – middle-aged and friends since childhood. Young Colin sees the Club as a showcase, naively expecting it will provide a ticket to stardom, while Phil, the eldest is musical director, pianist and church choirmaster – a position which doesn’t sit comfortably with scandal.
The script presents working-men’s club banter at its best, yet despite the teasing and lewd gossip these miners articulate their issues and, bit by bit, male layers gradually flake away. Bant is a wonderful kingpin with the hardest shell and dominates with his opinions and aggressive streak, but there’s much goodness within. Trying to equal the macho reputation of the father he never knew, there’s inner turmoil too as he struggles to come to terms with his wife walking out after 18 years.
Shop steward Jack is caring, sensitive and everyone’s friend though not flawless as the return of a teenage sweetheart brings the cracks in his marriage sharply into focus. Scobie’s no brighter than his miner’s lamp and frustrated by his pregnant wife’s (dietary) demands but he’s likeable, honest and accepts his lot. Which leaves the quiet and mild mannered Walt, a widower guilty over his children being raised by others.
Small wonder then that the group turn to singing for emotional release. They turn in a decent tune, added to which is some wonderful choreography which makes the songs a visually vibrant treat. An excellent rotating set conjures locations in an instant, none more memorable than the pithead showers. W8ith the men’s delicate blasé way of scrubbing-up.
This is a seriously heady mix to contemplate and Roger Haines achieves superb fluidity. The change in tone in the second act adds poignancy to the whole piece.
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Jack Horsfall: Stephen McGann.
Scobie Glossop: John Elkington.
Walt Hemmings: Jack Lord.
Bant (Bantam): Philip Cox.
Colin Wrigglesworth: Robert Emms.
Phil Newsome: Andrew Whitehead.
Director: Roger Haines.
Designer: Judith Croft.
Lighting: Nick Richings.
Sound: Paul Gregory.
Musical Director: Nicolas Bloomfield.
Choreographer: Geoff Steer.
Dialect coach: Sally Hague.
Assistant director: Christos Chanios.
2008-10-20 09:59:36