Belfast’s Grand Opera House has seen many things over the years, from dramatic Shakespearian productions to comedy sketch shows and most recently male theatre goers got to see some female household names (Letitia Dean, Sue Holderness,Charlie Dimmock etc) all strip off for the popular play Calendar Girls.
Now this week it is the turn of the ladies to catch a glimpse of some flesh, as Dave Simpson’s long-running (since 1996) play Girls’ Night Out stops off in Belfast for one week only, as part of its most recent sell-out run.
Set to a nice mix of recent pop tunes the story follows a hen party as they embark on a night on the tiles to a local male lapdance bar.
The group of ladies features many which we all can connect to, the man-eater, the mousy friend, the older woman in search of a thrill and of course the bride-to-be, a heavilly pregnant young lady who isn’t sure she want to tie the know.
Cue some drunken shenanigans, home-truths slipping out and of course the as promised trip to the lapdance bar, where it just so happens the male dancers in question have a connection to each of our hens.
The males are a lively mix of hunk, dependable mate, mothered son and cocky womaniser, each hoping that lap dancing will help them make a few quid and liven up their lives a bit too, as a trip to Ibiza for the summer season looms.
Whilst men are encouraged to attend this show, be warned like myself you will be most certainly in the minority, the jokes come thick and fast, the jibes at the male form etc are not subtle and the male flesh on show will certainly guarantee you are uncomfortably sitting amongst a house full of screaming and wolf-whistling ladies.
The girls can expect cowboy, firemen, naval officer and monk’s costumes (yes really) amongst others, as the lads perform for their pleasure. Plus a few double entendres, some hilarious sight gags and a fast-moving script.
As a night out this show has an awful lot going for it, it’s a feel-good romp, the cast seem to be having an absolute ball, the entire theatre rocked to the sound of laughter, screams and bopped along to the music.
Girls’ Night Out runs form Mon June 14-Sat Jun 19 2010 at The Grand Opera House, tel: 028 90241919 or visit www.goh.co.uk for details.
By Phil Allely
