Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Saturday 4 November 2023
Reviewed by Louise Ford
5*****
Reight good!
This current production based on the original Fox Searchlight film (1997) is by Simon Beaufoy and directed by Michael Gyngell. It has been touring the UK since the summer. It is a faithful transfer of the award winning film and makes the transition very well.
The story is set in the 1980’s, in Sheffield, the full impact of Thatcher’s Britain is being felt by a group of, now none, working men. The city of Sheffield is key to this story, it forms the backdrop for the set. The loss of heavy industry and the “jobs for life” has taken its toll.
It’s a story that works at so many levels and this current production doesn’t skimp on the tragedy of a community losing its identity and purpose. The camaraderie that builds up between the men at the job club as they work through their loss of status and most importantly income is palpable.
The set plays tribute to the steel industry with three scaffolding towers which move around the stage to create the different scenes. The movements are accompanied by foot tapping disco tracks. On the whole these work very well and are effective. Although at times the towers did seem particularly unwieldy and required the full cast and crew to manoeuvre them about.
The current cast has some familiar faces who all make a great impression. Gaz , is played by Danny Hatchard, the brains behind the idea to raise some money to pay off his child support debts and be able to continue to see his son. Gaz’s best mate is Dave (Neil Hurst), his partner in crime since school days. The rapport between the two is well played. However the star turn of the show is Nathan (Theo Hills) all grown up strutting in a sheepskin jacket. He delivers some powerful witty lines with great timing and confidence. The role of aspirational Gerald is played by Bill Ward, struggling to keep the lid on his “secret” and get himself another job before his wife finds out. Lomper is quietly played by Nicholas Prasad, a man with a different secret. Ben Onwukwe delivers the role of Horse with some nifty footwork, despite his arthritis! The eye candy is provided by Jake Quickenden as Guy…. whose assets are hidden by baggy shirts and trousers!
If you loved the film then you will have your own favourite lines or scenes. My personal favourite is the scene in the dole office, where the lads are lined up waiting to sign on. Over the radio comes the steamy Hot Stuff, by Donna Summer and the shoulders roll and the hips start to jiggle and gyrate…
The show treads a fine line between a rowdy hen night outing and a serious drama about loss and identity. As with all good stories it builds to a crescendo (with the mainly female audience on their feet) with glitter, sparkle and a cracking tune so for one night only I give you …. The Full Monty!