TOM: A STORY OF TOM JONES | STAGE REVIEW
The Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, Thurs 6 Mar
Ponty legend Tom Woodward, aka Sir Tom Jones, rise to fame is immortalised on the stage in this new production by Neath based Theatre na nOg. Remarkably this is the first stage show to recount his story, from his humble beginnings in the valleys to his breakthrough. The local setting of Muni Theatre is a deserving venue for the opening week of the tour. The opening scene of Tom, and his future wife Linda, on the hills of the valleys sets the scene for a roller coaster ride.
From the unplanned pregnancy for a young Linda and the subsequent shotgun marriage, you see behind the confident man we see today struggling with his responsibilities to provide for his family and pursuing his dream to become a star. He wrestles with his talent, not believing at times he is good enough to succeed and nearly packing it all in several time along the way. It’s only through Linda’s utter devotion and support does he become to believe. From his first gigs in the YMCA (literally across the road from The Muni) does his career finally start to take off.
Theatre na nOg and writer Mike James bring a raw and intimate story which you genuinely get caught up in, despite the setbacks and heart aches, living with Linda’s mother at the beginning of their marriage and then Tom moving to London with his band. As he lives on a £1 a day you get a real sense of the determination and will to make something of himself. The narrator Jack Lister charts the progress throughout the story which adds a comical and humorous touch.
When Tom and his band finally make no 1 with It’s Not Unusual which Sandie Shaw turned down, you start to see the man we all know and love today.
Kit Orton as Tom sings his heart out and has the moves down to a fine art, the end of the show the whole cast play a melody of Tom tracks, What’s New Pussycat, Delilah and Mama Told Me Not To Come were performed brilliantly, the cast are incredibly talented and the audience loved it, the only thing missing which I was expecting was a flurry of knickers being flung on the stage!
A great feel good show that audiences of all ages will enjoy, go and see and take your frilly knickers with you. As of yet there are no plans for the show to go to the West End but with its charm it probably won’t be long. Best get along before it gets snapped up.
words ANTONIA LEVAY
Tom is coming to the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen (Wed 12-Sat 15 Mar) and the Gwyn Hall in Neath (Mon 7-Sat 12 Apr). Info: www.muni.rct-arts.org / www.carmarthenshiretheatres.co.uk / www.gwynhall.com