The Full Monty
“Chuffing brilliant!”
"The Full Monty," a sensational and heartwarming theatrical production, takes centre stage at the Everyman Theatre this week with its irresistible blend of humour, vulnerability, and toe-tapping music. Set in the blue-collar town of Sheffield, this electrifying play captures the essence of friendship, self-discovery, and the universal desire for a fresh start. As the story unfolds, a group of unlikely heroes embark on a comical and touching journey, confronting their insecurities head-on as they prepare for a life-altering performance that will leave audiences cheering for the underdogs who dare to bare it all.
I have seen a stage version of this show before, however this latest production ticks every single box for me. Casting Director Marc Frankum CDG really has picked the best talent to tell this fantastic story. Danny Hatchard (Gaz) and Neil Hurst (Dave) have wonderful chemistry on stage with Hurst being able to deliver some of the best comedic lines throughout with complete ease. Bill Ward (Gerald), Nicholas Prasad (Lomper), Leyon Stoltz-Hunter (Horse) and Jake Quickenden (Guy) complete the group and it really is the perfect cast.
The staging by Jasmine Swan provides the perfect industrial backdrop with a moveable set that has more combinations than a padlock! Each time the cast wheel the heavy metal structures around the stage, you are transported into a different location with slick transitions not interfering with the action on stage which in part is thanks to a whole host of classic tunes blasting out around the auditorium during these moments.
Of course, we all know how “The Full Monty” ends and you could tell that the audience at the Everyman Theatre, which I must add was predominantly female, were completely ready for by the end of the show. It was clear aswell how much the cast enjoy the adoration throughout their moments of disrobing to essentially show us “The Full Monty”, however this is over in a flash, quite literally, with clever lighting by Andrew Exeter. I do have to commend the cast though for their commitment to providing the audience with a fantastic finale, it’s the moment we are all waiting for let’s be honest and Choreographer Ian West really does make it special with the help of the unmistakable voice of Tom Jones belting out “You Can Leave Your Hat On”. The perfect end to a perfect night!
With its memorable characters and a soundtrack that will have you grooving in your seat, "The Full Monty" promises an unforgettable night of laughter, camaraderie, and the triumph of the human spirit.
This show was reviewed on the 19th September 2023. The Full Monty runs at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham until the 23rd September 2023. Tickets and full tour details can be found here: The Full Monty (fullmontytheplay.com)
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Photo credit: Ellie Kurttz
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