December 2017

Ballyduff Drama Group takes to the boards with what will no doubt be a thrilling, enthralling and downright hilarious production of "The Full Monty" with performance dates on December Fri 1st – Sun 3rd and Thurs 7th – Sun 10th 2017 with the performance on Friday 1st being in aid of the Parents Association of Ballyduff National School. Booking is at (058)60456

The Full Monty was one of British Cinema's greatest ever successes when it was first released in 1997, grossing over $250 million and became at the time of its release the highest grossing film ever for the UK. Various stage and musical versions followed and these have proven excellent box office material and great audience pieces. If we want to laugh your head off, or cry your heart out or just celebrate the tenacity of the human spirit, then the Full Monty is the one for you. It is a story about triumph over adversity, a timeless tale about goodness coming out of hard times.

Originally, the story was set in Sheffield and looks at the scourge of unemployment and economic recession in the 1980s in a most different way, a way which is humorous and touching. This Ballyduff production bases the story closer to home but the emphasis is the same – a group of "useless" unemployed men who stretch for the stars, and get there!! At times, the action is not just humorous - it is side-splittingly funny. At times, it is not just touching – it is heart wrenching. But is always about celebrating life and the human spirit and about doing the very best we can at the very worst of times. To survive, humanity has to have ambition. In tough times in early 1980s Cork City, an ambition for a group of six men may be no more then to be the new "local" Chippendales, but for them, this was their star and their pursuit of that dream is a journey which all of us will want to share, a voyage of ups and downs but ultimately one which comes to a most jubilant destination.

Directed by Richie Walsh supported by large and hugely experienced production and technical teams, the production features in the main roles Mikey Dunne, just out of Fermoy Musical Society's Sister Act; Will Motherway, just out of bed; Henry O'Keeffe, just out of money; Brendan Hurley, just out of trouble; Cailean O'Gorman, just out of Ballysaggart and Peter Shallow, just out of luck as well as young Cathal Murphy, who is just out of nothing. The six main performers know that this production could change their lives completely and make them the new Munster pin-up boys for years to come. However, this is a risk they are all prepared to take. This lot and the rest of those in supporting roles mean that there is a fantastic gathering on stage of the vastly experienced, the vibrantly youthful and those who should know better. Rest assured, there will be no shortcuts in the achievement of a great, funny and enthralling production. Oh my God, no shortcuts! That alone could leave many of us scarred for life!!

When Will Motherway and Mikey Dunne were asked recently if this production could mean that they might become the new Irish theatrical sex symbols, they both agreed that this indeed was a possibility but both also felt that they could cope with this new-found fame. When both their wives were asked the same question, they just burst into loud laughter bordering on hysteria. However, all the Monty men are currently undergoing fitness, tanning and dance regimes which will certainly surprise audiences and may even shock their nearest and dearest. Sometimes, our lives may be tough but this is a production that will make you realise that never again will there be a time in your life when your dream cannot come true or when a star is just too far away. Because all it takes is just one more step!