Prinz Blog English Theatre Frankfurt

Gehen sie aufs Ganze …

Juliane Moschell — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:22:08 +0000

und lassen die Hüllen fallen? Das ist hier die Frage. Als wir im English Theatre vor einem Jahr nach einem Musicals für die Jubiläumsspielzeit suchten, gab es heiße Diskussionen. Doch irgendwann war klar, dass wir “aufs Ganze” gehen und die Deutschlandpremiere des Musicals “The Full Monty”, eine amerikanische Version der britischen Erfolgskomödie (deutsch: Ganz oder gar nicht), zu uns nach Frankfurt holen. Das hat es hier noch nicht gegeben: sechs arbeitslose Stahlarbeiter beschließen mit einer Striptease Show das große Geld zu verdienen. Da sie aber nicht muskelgestählt und braungebrannt wie die berühmten Chippendales-Tänzer sind, müssen sie sich etwas anderes einfallen lassen, um ihr Vorhaben zu verkaufen. Als unser Intendant Daniel Nicolai dann den britischen Regisseur Ryan McBryde anrief (er hatte ja schon so erfolgreich HAIR inszeniert) und ihn fragte, ob er das Musical in der Jubiläumsspielzeit inszenieren wolle, stockte dieser zunächst. Und dann kamen die großen Bedenken: Würden wir in London sechs Männer finden, die singen, tanzen und schauspielern können – alle zwischen 30 und 45 Jahre alt – und die bereit sind, sich drei Monate lang jeden Abend vor einem deutschen Publikum ganz auszuziehen? Gerade die Briten, sagte Ryan, die haben damit schon ein großes Problem und noch dazu, wenn sie keinen perfekten Körper haben (dürfen). Zum Casting im August forderten Ryan und das Creative Team in London dann auch gleich “alles”. Auf dem Programm stand die Strip-Szene, die am Ende des Musicals kommt: und da es schon beim ersten “Kennlern-Casting” es ums strippen ging, trennte sich die Spreu vom Weizen. Ryan sagte, diejenigen, die sich nicht ausziehen wollten, konnten gleich wieder nach Hause gehen. Anfang September stand das “Full Monty”- Ensemble fest und die Proben begannen Ende September in London. Bald mehr…

The Full Monty

prinz — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:39:20 +0000

As part of our 30th anniversary Jubilee season, The English Theatre of Frankfurt proudly presents The Full Monty (Ganz Oder Gar Nicht) – a hilarious hit musical that dares to go all the way!

Keep checking this site for all the latest news about our German premiere of the production. You never know what might be revealed…

Jubilee Season

prinz — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:32:04 +0000

The largest English language theatre in continental Europe, The Frankfurt English Theatre has been sharing quality performances with the public since 1979. We are proud to present an extra-special line up for this, our Silver Jubilee season.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

A play by Tennessee Williams5th September 2009 – 24 October 2009

THE FULL MONTY

A Musical with a book by Terrence McNallyand music/lyrics by David Yazbek6th November – 14th February 2010

AN IDEAL HUSBAND

A comedy of manners by Oscar Wilde26th February – 17th April 2010

THE FOX

A play adapted by Allan Miller from a novella by D.H. Lawrence30th April – 6th June 2010

BRAVE NEW WORLD

A play adopted by David Rogers from a novel by Aldous Huxley18th June – 4th July 2010

The English Theatre: Gallusanlage 7, 60329 Frankfurt am Main

Interview with the director Ryan McBryde

prinz — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:25:05 +0000

Q. This is not your first prodution with the English Theatre! How do you feel about returning to Frankfurt?A. I’m looking forward to it. This will be my fourth show for the theatre. Each production throws up new challenges and Monty is no exception.Q. The Full Monty has an extremely large cast. What is your director’s approach to bringing together different people to create a strong overall performance?A. Goodness! There’s a multitude of techniques I employ to create a strong ensamble. We do lots of group work, whether it be character discussion, ensemble movement or theatre games. On Monty. we spent a lot of time exploring the lives of unemployed steel workers and looked at how people are affected by unemployment. I like to play lots of games to enhance the accuracy of the work. We run scenes and I instruct actors to mime everything they are saying, or run a scene as if they were performing it to an audience of blind or deaf people. These improvisations help define what is being said and why. Performing for non-English speaking audiences is great training for directors and actors alike.

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Q. What are the challenges (if any) in performing an adapted work; in this case from British movie to American musical, with British actors?A. I didn’t find the American adaptation of a British piece problematic at all. I fell in love with The Full Monty film. Originally, I thought I would hate the American version. But I didn’t; I read the script and listened to the music and I laughed out loud and cried like a child. They had captured the heart of the original film, but I think they also improved it. The music captures the frustration and bitterness of the unemployed and mixes it with tender ballads exploring the relationship between fathers and sons and husbands and wives. There’s a rock chick empowerment number and a Salsa pastiche. Audiences won’t be disappointed – it’s a feel good show for sure!

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Q. People often say that musicals are a form of escapaism from reality, yet increasingly, modern musicals seem to be confronting social and economic issues head on. Is the choice of The Full Monty interesting to you, in a social and economic context?A. Monty is not a musical like Wicked, Hairspray or Sister Act. These shows are big, brash and bordering on cartoon. They are glitzy and glamerous. I suppose Monty is cast in the same mould as Blood Brothers and Billy Elliot, which has also been adapted from the film.I’m only interested in directing pieces of theatre that have a current social context. Theatre is about now. I think as theatre practitioners, it’s our responsibility to be entertaining, of course, but to be relevent more so. It’s theatre’s job to hold a mirror up to society. This all sounds a bit pompous I know, but let’s be honest, I didn’t pick Monty because I wanted to do a show about guys getting naked.No, really, I didn’t.I picked The Full Monty because I was interested in a story about a group of ordinary men who are forced into accepting that their potential humiliation – stripping in front of thousands of women – iis the only thing keeping them from financial ruin and abject despair. It’s about real people: men and women battling for their self respect in a post-industrial wasteland. it’s about unemployment, it’s about economic depression. I think a lot of people in the world today can relate to that right now. Like the film, it’s also hilarious and heartwarming with a great script and a gorgeous score – it’s a director’s dream.

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Q. What kind of theatre experience would you like the audience to have in this production?A. I want them to have an exhilerating night out! I want them to ride the rollercoaster of emotion and hope they leave the theatre humming the tunes and caring about the characters and story we’ve just told them.

Synopsis of The Full Monty

prinz — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:17:14 +0000

In the recession-hit town of Buffalo, New York, six very different men are brought together with one thing in common: they have reached rock bottom. With the odds stacked against them and circumstances seemingly out of their control, the only option seems to be to give up. But, when a chance comment in a bar reveals how much the women in the town are willing to pay a visiting group of Chippendale male strippers, thoughts begin to form that will take them all on a journey beyond their wildest imagination, and hopefully into a happier future.

Riddled with insecurities, whether it be about having the perfect body, the perfect relationship or being the perfect parent, these men have one last chance to sort their lives out and regain their self respect. If, that is, they are willing to go …. The Full Monty.

Based on the hit independent film of the same name (more familiar to many under its German title Ganz Oder Gar Nicht), The Full Monty Musical makes its German premiere at the Frankfurt English Theatre with a long list of awards to its name, including a straight sweep of Tony awards.

Cast Production Diary: Warm, Warmer…. HOT STUFF!

Ryan McBryde — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:11:50 +0000

Well here we are again. Mid-rehearsal for the ETF’s seasonal musical. Last year it was back to 1968 for a Hippie Hippie Shake; this year we’re getting butt-naked with the unemployed steel workers of Buffalo, USA. I’m going to have to be careful I don’t get a reputation for myself as the director who does ‘nude’ shows! What with Hair, the naked lady in Hysteria and now, The Full Monty, I’m going to have to be very selective about what I do next.Rehearsals are going well. Rob Chalmers, our brilliant MD, has taught the cast the songs and we’re making our way through the scenes and numbers of Act One. No stripping yet. We’ve spent a lot of time exploring the world of the show; the steel mill, the strip club, the Salsa classes etc. The piece takes you on a real journey. It’s also a very funny show so it makes for a very funny rehearsal process.Casting Monty was quite demanding. Trying to find a group of thirty to forty-something men who can sing, dance, act, and are willing to spend Christmas away from home whilst exposing themselves nightly to 20 German audiences wasn’t easy. We were lucky though and I’m happy to report we have a fantastic cast who are working their socks off to make the show something quite special.During the auditions we had to make sure the male candidates were willing to actually take their clothes off so we did ask them to perform a striptease. Our choreographer, Drew McOnie, taught them a routine which involved gyrating and thrusting and the removal of shirts. I have to say it was the most awkward three days of my life. I tried to keep a relaxed and encouraging smile on my face throughout but a great deal of the stripteases were mortifyingly ungainly and darn right excruciating! Amy Rycroft, our female casting director seemed to love every minute of it though!

Cast Biographies

prinz — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:38:46 +0000

Julia Nagel
I’m Julia J. Nagle (a bit like Bagel!) and I play Vicki Nichols – Harold’s wife. I like good food, particularly patisserie items, hats, shoes, jazz & the colour orange. I dislike garlic …the smell, the taste, everything … it makes me want to gag! Ooh and people that stop right in front of you at the end of the escalator! Looking forward to: Working with my friend Tom for the first time. Trying the local cuisine and exploring the city.

Oliver Brenin
I’m Oliver Brenin and I’m playing Ethan. I like good food, my new flat, good films, all kinds of music, swimming, my dogs, going home to the Welsh hills and MARMITE!! Ha! I dislike rude people, people who walk slowly in front of you when you’re in a hurry, late buses/tubes, squeaky dinner plates, oranges. I’m looking forward to living in Germany, German food and beer, meeting you lovely people!

Ade Sapere
I’m Ade. I’m playing Horse. Likes : Spending time with my girlfriend, good food, music, films, travelling, new experiences, adventure, hot weather, books, The Matrix, fitness. Dislikes : Tedium, rushing, negativity, grey skies and drizzle, liars … disliking! I’m looking forward to meeting the people of Frankfurt, German sausages with potato salad, beer, practising my German, experiencing the city.

Mark Powell
I’m Mark. I’m playing Jerry. I like cheese, beer, sincerity, good food, good company, Aston Villa Football Club, playing quash, going out on the town. I dislike rudeness, bullies, Birmingham City Football Club, over-crowded public transport, liver, kidneys, capers. I’m looking forward to the Christmas Markets, the beer, eating lots of meat and of course meeting all you lovely Frankfurtians!

Tom Gilling
I’m Tom Gilling and I play Dave Bukatinsky. I like eating, cooking, sleeping, walking, shopping, beer, cheese, making people laugh and being silly. I dislike losing things, housework, dog poo, gin, cats, mushrooms and people telling me to act my age. What I’m looking forward to about being in Frankfurt are German sausages, the Christmas Markets, exploring, local beer & produce and meeting new people!

Lucy Garrioch
I’m Lucy. I am 24 and a twin. I like playing the piano, skiing, playing tennis, traveling and eating out as often as possible! I love to party and laugh a lot and am often described as bubbly! I can’t wait to sample the Frankfurt Christmas markets after being in Berlin last November!