The Full Monty – Theatre Royal, Glasgow – Glasgow Theatre Blog

Adapted by Simon Beaufoy from his personal 1997 movie script, the play model of The Full Monty is a lovingly crafted, becoming addition to the legacy of the much-loved film.

Sheffield within the Nineteen Nineties was as grim because it was doable to get in Britain post-Thatcher. Beaufoy’s story of six unemployed males (4 former metal staff from this this metropolis synonymous with the business) might seem excessive on humour on the floor however there’s simply as a lot pathos, exploring because it does themes of: despair, father’s rights, homosexuality, impotence, physique picture, working-class life and suicide.

Ex-steelworker Gaz (Danny Hatchard) has custody and baby assist points since being made redundant. With pal Dave (Neil Hurst) they’ve resorted to nicking scrap metallic (with child in tow) to make ends meet. When the pair see girls lining as much as see a male strip act at a neighborhood membership, a seed is sown. They hatch a seemingly absurd plan to create their very own troupe with “buns of steel”, promising that in contrast to their contemporaries, they’ll go “the full monty”.

The duo are joined by Lomper (Nicholas Prasad) a former safety guard whose suicide try they foil. Gerald (Bill Ward), an ex-salesman hiding his unemployment from his spouse, older man Horse (Ben Onwukwe) and Guy (Oliver Joseph Brooke) who can’t dance however has different attributes helpful to the group.

There’s a rocky rehearsal street and loads of dilemmas to face, in the end culminating within the now-famous Full Monty efficiency. The first act is a sluggish burn to ascertain the character’s again tales and is decrease on laughs than the second the place the humour actually ramps up. Where the piece enlivens is within the dance scenes that are met with whoops and hollers from the viewers, clearly up for a wild evening out.

The ensemble forged are nearly universally wonderful, one be aware of criticism could be Hatchard’s portrayal of Gaz which comes throughout as missing somewhat little bit of the mandatory likeability, although there’s power and dedication from him from begin to finish. The identical can’t be mentioned of Neil Hurst’s Dave who’s a shining gentle all through, with impeccable comedian timing and a well-portrayed sensitivity alongside the bravado.