The Grand Theatre, Leeds – until Saturday 30th of March
Reviewed by Sally Richmond
5*****
The opening words of The Full Monty stage production are – “Turn your mobiles off and keep your knickers on” and set the scene immediately! The show opens inside a deserted Sheffield steelworks with crates, oil drums and dubious electrics. Throughout the production, the illuminated signs smoothly convert the stage into a job centre, nightclub, Conservative club and police station. It’s here that brilliant scenes of comedy are played out, with undertones of some very serious issues such as: unemployment, mental health and redundancy.
Our lovable cast is led by the charismatic Gary Lucy (EastEnders, The Bill, Footballers’s Wives, winner of Dancing On Ice) who has made the role of Gaz his own as a young, arrogant Sheffield lad. Alongside Gary, Andrew Dunn (best known as Tony in Dinnerladies) plays middle-class Gerald to perfection in a most believable portrayal. Louis Emerick (Coronation Street and Brookside) plays Horse (you can find out the meaning behind his name when you go and see the show – but it’s not what you’re thinking!) Kai Owen (Rhys in Torchwood & Pete in Hollyoaks) is Dave, who captures the essence of the character so well – going from clown to someone who’s under much emotional strain due to his marital problems. Young actor Fraser Kelly is also very notable as Gaz’s son Nathan, receiving a huge cheer from the audience, as did James Redmond (Guy) for obvious reasons! The whole cast clearly get on as they had great chemistry on stage and showed genuine affection and praise for one another during the standing ovation, which was given by a very excited, heated and mainly female audience.
There are far too many comedy highlights to mention them all with laugh-out-loud moments in abundance. The dancing is so hilarious and is set to the original, fantastic soundtrack which results in a great night out. Heart-warming and serious where it needs to be – The Full Monty will take you back in time and have you tapping your feet right from the off! The adapted stage script is mostly true to the film, including comedy, poignant moments and, of course, bare bottoms. Iconic moments from the movie are included such as: the cling film diet scene, sun bed tanning at home, and dancing in the dole queue. The pace really picks up in the second half, as our adorable rogues and misfits rehearse for the ultimate one night only – The Full Monty. The audience were going wild by the end, singing along to the legendary Tom Jones, clapping to the rhythm and screaming to the gyrations. But do they go the Full Monty? That is something you can find out when you go yourself, but I will say – you won’t be disappointed