The Full Monty at Hanley Regent Theatre
THE Full Monty – what more can I say? The stage show was as funny and heart-warming as the film with some cheeky songs thrown in for good measures, so how could it fail.
True to the 1997 film, it is based around six unemployed steelworkers, although they are based in Buffalo not Sheffield, who are low on both cash and prospects.
After a touring company of strippers visits the town, leaving the woman hot under the collar, the group decide they will raise much-needed cash by stripping, going the whole way.
As the show progresses, it sees the characters overcome their fears, self-consciousness and anxieties to give the women a real treat.
The classic dance seen in the bank cue was moved to a funeral, but was still very funny.
It was good to see the actors in the lead roles did not have perfect figures, as with the film, and represented real men, which is a rare site on the stage these days, making the insecurities more believable.
You cannot have a character insecure about their weight without the beer belly.
Chris Little in the lead role of Jerry Lukowski is a brilliant performer, funny at the same time as desperately showing the battle of a father wanting to keep contact with his son.
Truly bringing to life the character made famous Robert Carlyle.
Stephen Degg, as Dave Batatinsky, is also very funny, complete with the cling film rap scene, and the chemistry between the two original actors was definitely repeated on the stage.
The whole cast in general deserve a mention as they were very entertaining and believable, making a show definitely worth going to see if you enjoyed the film.
Child actor Jack Moor, playing Nathan Lukowski, has the makings of a future star.
The only thing I will ask is why it had to be an Americanised version as it is a classic British film that was a huge hit. Personally I think moving it to a different country did not make any difference to the story so was not necessary.
However, it did not affect the excellent performance which would be perfect for a girls night out.
And yes ladies, they did the Full Monty although some clever lighting meant some things were left to the imagination.
Although one of the actors trying to modestly cover himself with a robe after forgetting to put on underwear for his final bow did add to the humour.
