THE FULL MONTY

“I’ve got a degree in ass wiggling, mate.”

A review by Abigail Kathleen

I probably do not need to tell you what The Full Monty is about, but just in case you haven’t seen it, set in Sheffield during the Thatcher era during the shut down of the steel factories, we follow the misfortune and mad ideas of Gaz and his friends.

Gaz is in desperate need to get some cash so he can pay off his child maintenance debts to be able to continue to see his son. Gaz needed something a lot bigger than petty theft to get the money, so inspired by the sound of women roaring away at the Chippendales he plans his craziest money grab plan.

Alongside his fellow unemployed steel workers Dave, Gerald and Lomper, they hold auditions to form their very own male stripping group. Taking on Horse and Guy, the Buns of Steel is complete and they hilariously set to work putting a routine together, under the management of Gaz’s son.

Originally written by Simon Beaufoy, he has adapted the film for the stage and Full Monty the Play hit theatres in 2013. The play itself has had a turbulent history in terms of reviews and success, with Gary Lucy holding the lead role of Gaz since 2014. Another face I recognised was Kai Owen who takes on the role of Dave, from the Doctor Who spin off, Torchwood.

Tanya and I went to see The Full Monty at The New Wimbledon Theatre on the 29th. The set was a shut down steel factory that was adapted to different locations, and reflected the hard times of that era, the 70’s. The play was marvellously funny, but it also had a couple of stale scenes that, in my own opinion, delivered no entertainment value, and I zoned out on more than one occasion.

Whilst it delivered laugh out loud moments, it didn’t really hit the spot for me, as mentioned earlier it just came across a little stale, but by all account’s Tanya felt thoroughly entertained and loved every moment, so it really is all a matter of opinion!