Saturday, 10 September 2011

"The Glee Club" by Richard Cameron At The Hull Truck Theatre- Review

John Burton, Marc Pickering and Sean McKenzie
from The Glee Club.
Picture by Richard Hubert-Smith.

The Glee Club by Richard Cameron now at Hull Truck Theatre is a gritty drama set in 1962, of a group of four miners who work down Edington Colliery and sing in a Glee Club in their spare time
We see them rehearsing in the miners welfare club room, exchanging conversation at the pit head and walking to and from the various buildings, all of which takes place on the same set with only minor changes but through lighting and the players actions brilliantly take you into each new scene. Moments of nudity and strong language occur totally in context with the play and essential to the plot. The play revolves around the Glee Club practising for the forthcoming annual gala and the lives of the singers unfold as we progress. The play explores masculine ideas, attitudes and sexuality of the early '60s . This is a gritty drama and tragedy; well written and exquisitely performed by the actors:- John Burton, Michael Chance, Paul Clarkson, Anthony Clegg, Sean McKenzie and Marc Pickering all of whom have long experience on stage, television and film.

There were moments that made me smile in this very human and touching story of the lives of six men.
The harmonies were superb, wonderfully arranged by musical director Phil Bateman and the timings perfect under the direction of Tessa Walker. The clever stage design was by Signe Beckman who also designed the costumes.
Many in the audience were visibly moved to tears at the plays climax and I would thoroughly recommend you to see this play.

Denis and Alison
Yorkshire Gig Guide