Country Music is now bigger than ever – ‘A Fistful of Mondays’ combines romantic comedy, with line dancing and country music and comes to the stage at Witney’s Corn Exchange from the 24th to 28th September.
Local writer/director Joe Graham’s theatre production company Balancing Act first produced ‘A Fistful of Mondays’ at the OFS Studio in Oxford back in 2009 to record-breaking audiences. The production created such a magical atmosphere, throughout its run, the play led to a number 1 UK tour in 2011. Renamed ‘Rhinestone Mondays,’ it starred former EastEnder’s star Shaun Williamson, Faye Tozer (Steps, Tell Me on A Sunday), Lyn Paul (The New Seekers and Blood Brothers) and Ian H Watkins (also from Steps and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang).
Having successfully brought the production of ‘The Murmuration of Starlings’ to the stage in Witney last year, Balancing Act are looking forward to entertaining audiences with ‘A Fistful of Mondays.’ The play deals with the ‘will they? won’t they?’ romance of Tom and Annie; the interactions and problems of a struggling and diverse group; the social aspect of a local club being ousted by a cheap national restaurant pub chain, The Munchin Mule and a lively country music soundtrack.
‘A Fistful of Mondays’ is a hilarious romantic comedy which has a country music and line dancing theme. The lead character Tom spends his evenings singing karaoke at an empty Walbersley Sports and Social Club, which is on its last legs. Tom is struggling to get back on the social scene since his divorce and his life is certainly humdrum. However, his world and that of bar manager Barry is turned upside down when the Monday Night All Star Line Dancing Club starts using the club as a rehearsal space in an attempt to drum up more business.
Tom eventually stumbles his way into a romance, despite his lack of practice, with dance teacher Annie. However, this relationship is soon in trouble as Tom is confronted by his past demons and insecurities. The line dancing group also encounter troubles of their own in the form of a traitor in their midst who splits the group and threatens their future as they prepare for a big line dancing weekend.
The brand-new revival of ‘A Fistful of Mondays’ promises to recreate the energy and excitement that the show first generated with a classic country soundtrack and lots of line dance action. This is an ensemble piece of eight actors, and you do not need to be a fan of line dancing to enjoy it, as the line dance group is a format and setting. Having said that, like when you see a film set in a place you know, the line dancers will get that extra buzz from insider knowledge.
There is also a sequel planned ‘For a Few Mondays More’ which will be on stage at the Witney Corn Exchange Theatre on the 17th to 21st June 2025.
Balancing Act was established to bring together talented and committed people, on stage and off, to present the plays of Joe Graham. Audiences can enjoy theatrical experiences far beyond their expectations.
Tickets for ‘A Fistful of Mondays’ can be booked online at balancingact.org.uk or direct from the Corn Exchange cornexchangewitney.org.uk.
