The Full Monty Review

Churchill Theatre – until 27th Oct 2018

Review by Elizabeth J Smith

5*****

When I am going to see a play or show that was originally a much loved film I worry I wont feel the same about the piece. Did the producers and directors get it right and give the audience the same experience evoking similar emotions. Sometimes films made into shows just don’t get the same response. Not this one, it was bang on target.

Set in Sheffield, once the steel capital of the world in its glory days, to the time when factories were closed down and the men of the town no longer had a job for life and were reduced to unemployment or doing jobs below their skill set. How the impact these events have on families and individuals, making the men ask themselves “do woman need us anymore”.

Gaz, (Gary Lucy), is unemployed with no prospect of employment. Not helped by his criminal record. He finds himself dealing with an ex wife who wants maintenance for their son or she will prevent him having contact. Seeing a get rich quick opportunity he ropes in an unlikely cast of characters to become strippers for the night.

We meet this motley crew and learn how crappy life is treating each and everyone of them. The prospect of being strippers feels them with both dread and excitement. Forcing them to question their lives, relationships and choices.

From the get go the one-liners have you laughing out loud, even in the saddest of scenes, the attempted suicide of a young man, the humour of life rings out.

The auditions were hilarious, with a poignant moment when an auditioning gentleman decides he really can’t do it and was only there as a last resort as “there’s bugger all else on the horizon”.

The iconic dole queue dance was there and the portrayal of lads taking the “mick” out of each other but really having each others back came across in abundance.

The acting from all characters was believable, you felt empathy for each and everyone. Shout out to Fraser Kelly, who played Gaz’s young son Nathan, up holding an important role against some big hitting elders.

The final scene didn’t disappoint and had the audience cheering for more. I love the simplicity of the dance routine. However, when performed by such a mismatch of bodies you are rooting for them to remember it and get in right.
The cast are obviously having the time of their lives with the mainly female audience going wild, not often middle aged, over weight, slightly disabled men receive such adoration.

I defy any red blooded female not to get her knickers in a twist for these lovable characters and any male not to wish they had the nerve to do the same