The Glee Club At Theatre by the Lake, Keswick Review

Reviewed by Jo Hardy

When I first saw the title of this production “The Glee Club” it conjured up the image of American College kids in varsity cardigans.  Well I couldn’t of been more wrong.  Set in 1962 this production is the story of six miners in South Yorkshire. They all work together down the pit and they also meet regularly to sing and perform together.  When we first meet them they are rehearsing for there next show at the local gala.

The set is very industrial looking, brick walls, stone flags and a large dramatically lit pit wheel in the background.  It is the same set throughout the show.

During the first half of the show we get to know the background stories to all the men, all very different characters with very different life stories. We are also shown a type male friendship that is not often seen.  They all have their individual problems but through it all they continue to meet up to sing together and crack jokes together.

Going back to the set.  Above one of the brick walls I could see a shower head but never did I think that the actors would be actually having a shower during the performance, but they did! coming up from the pit all blackened by the coal dust, very casually while chatting they stepped out of their boiler suits and into the shower. This was all done so naturally not in a “look at me I’m naked “ way, just like a scene in any changing room.

When the interval came I was ready for it (not because of the naked bodies) I was still trying to work out all the individual characters and finding it a bit dark. However during the second half it all fell into place in my head and I enjoyed the second half so much it came to and an end too quickly for me.

In summary the all male cast put on a fantastic show and I’ve got to mention the singing.  This is not a musical as such and was explained to me as a “play with music “ the male voices harmonised beautifully and personally I could of listened to more singing but had to keep reminding myself that this is not a musical.

The six wonderful actors in this show were Dan Bottomley, Robert Jackson, Jack Lord, Matt Concannon, Linford Johnson and Eamonn Riley.  Gentlemen, you are all fantastic.

The Glee Club is presented by “Stockroom” was written by Richard Cameron and directed by Kate Wasserberg.  It is showing at Theatre by the Lake Keswick from 24th February to 12th March as part of it’s current tour so if you can’t get to Keswick check out stockroom.co.uk for a show closer to you.

Classed as suitable for ages 14+ the show is 2hours 15 mins with an intermission. One warning – It does include non sexual male nudity and strong language but none of it is gratuitous.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets are available from theatrebythelake.com priced from £10 to £39 with concessions for students and under 16’s this show is also part of the “love your love local theatre ‘ two for one ticket campaign which is supported by the national lottery.