I’VE never seen so many women in the main house at the Theatre Royal in Bath – and the main attraction was the award-winning hit play The Full Monty.
There is now an enduring affection for the play, which this year celebrates the 27th anniversary of one of the most successful British films ever made.
Simon Beaufoy’s award-winning play, The Full Monty, tours to the Theatre Royal with a cast led by stars of stage and television.
They include Danny Hatchard (EastEnders, Ridley Road, Our Girl, Scrooge), Jake Quickenden (Footloose, Hair, X Factor, Dancing on Ice), Bill Ward (Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Neil Hurst (Fat Friends The Musical, All Creatures Great and Small, Coronation Street), Ben Onwukwe (The Shawshank Redemption, Professor T, Marcella) and Nicholas Prasad (Around the World in 80 Days, Doctors).
Like the film, the play is set in Sheffield during the 1990s, and tells the story of six unemployed men, four of them former steel workers, who decide to form a male striptease act (à la Chippendale dancers) to make some money and for the main character, Gaz, to be able to see his son.
The fast and funny drama is still very much a play of our time, as the country is again hit by a cost-of-living crisis and high energy bills. Just like the 1997 smash-hit movie, this new stage production is a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, heartbreak and laughs.
The story is simple: Gaz and his mates are down on their luck and feel they have been thrown on the scrap heap, but they are determined to fight back and prepared to bare a little more than they ever thought they would have to.
There are no heroes in this heartfelt play by Simon Beaufoy, who is also the Oscar-winning writer of the film, just a group of lads trying to regain their self-esteem, dignity and pride. Despite being a comedy, the play also touches on serious issues such as unemployment, fathers’ rights, depression impotence, homosexuality, body image, the working class culture and suicide.
There are some lovely performances from the cast leads: Danny Hatchard as Gaz, Jake Quickenden as Guy, Bill Ward as Gerald, Neil Hurst as Dave, Ben Onwukwe as Horse, and Nicholas Prasad as Lomper.
At Tuesday’s first night, Rowan Poulton played Gaz’s young son Nathan, alternating in the role with Cass Dempsey, Theo Hills and Jack Wisniewski during the UK tour.
Directed by Michael Gyngell, the cast is completed by Oliver Joseph Brooke as Barry, Terry and Interviewer; Katy Dean as Jean; Laura Matthews as Mandy and Michelle; Danny Mellor as Phil and Policeman; Adam Porter Smith who plays multiple roles; Suzanne Procter as Linda, Annie and Bee; Alice Schofield as Sharon, Social Worker and Job Centre Employee, and Leyon Stolz-Hunter as Brian, Interviewer and Police Sergeant.
But one of the undoubted stars of the production is the multi-functional set, superbly designed by Jasmine Swan, who also designed the costumes. The lighting, designed by Andrew Exeter, the sound designed by Chris Whybrow, and the choreography by Ian West, who also acted as the intimacy director, also deserve a mention.
The climax of the show is when the six-strong group whip up the audience to a frenzy (literally) as they strip down to their thongs and ultimately go The Full Monty. The ending is well handled and, judging by the standing ovation, the audience doesn’t leave the theatre disappointed.
The Full Monty appears at the Theatre Royal Bath to Saturday, April 6. To book tickets contact the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 or visit theatreroyal.org.uk
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