“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Raw, emotive and playful”
The Full Monty, Simon Beaufoy’s award-winning play based on the classic Fox Searchlight Pictures Motion Picture film, feels even more appropriate at the moment as we all face the cost of living crisis. Mortgages rising, energy bills increasing, car tax and insurance hikes spiraling people to wonder where to get their next bit of money from. You can’t help but watch the show understanding the strains that the working-class men of Sheffield must be feeling.
For those unaware of the iconic story, The Full Monty follows Gaz (Danny Hatchard) as he tries to find employment after the steelworks he worked in closes down. Gaz owes his ex Mandy (Laura Matthews) maintenance money for their son Nathan (Rowan Poulton) and Mandy decides to put a court order in to say that unless he pays the money, he won’t be able to see Nathan. Gaz gets to work trying to find ways to make money, coming up with an idea that best mate Dave (Neil Hurst) isn’t too keen on at first. With help from his old foundry foreman Gerald (Bill Ward), teamed with local security guard Lomper (Nicholas Prasad) they set to work trying to find more people to make their idea possible, eventually recruiting Horse (Ben Onwukwe) and Guy (Jake Quickenden). A group of men who have all reached rough times and are looking for a way out.
It has been beautifully written with raw moments showing the depths of despair that people can get to, whilst also having moments that have you genuinely laughing out loud, dancing in your seat and clapping away like a happy seal (or was that just me?). I wasn’t surprised to see the whole theatre giving the show a standing ovation. It was everything that you could want to see within a show.
The stage has been cleverly created by Jasmine Swan. Moveable structures that changed the whole staging with swift transitions. With a small shift in the structures, you were transported to a whole different room. So clever.
The biggest shout out however goes to the cast. Phenomenal performances from each and every single person performing, the acting was natural, believable, and emotive. Jake Quickenden unsurprisingly had nearly everyone in the audience squealing with joy when he was on the stage. He is slick, toned, and knows how to work the stage. The end of the first half had us all talking amongst ourselves at the interval. Keep your eyes peeled is all I will say. Bill Ward had quite a fan base in the audience, too. Bill has an impressive acting career to date including the likes of Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Eastenders, Silent Witness, Footballers’ Wives and many more, and his performance within this show reminds me how much I enjoyed watching him on the screen in previous years. He was a heart throb then and listening to the audience this evening, I’d very much say he is a heart throb now, too! Neil Hurst is an utter legend! A loveable legend. And alongside Ben Onwukwe, Nicholas Prasad, and Danny Hatchard, they really added the emotional moments from the heart felt parts to the witty moments. Brilliant actors. Danny Hatchard and Rowan Poulton especially had epic stage presence, and both gave a sterling performance together, they were a delight to watch. I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear of Danny winning awards for best actor in years to come and Rowan taking on more lead roles.
The Full Monty is playing at The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham until Saturday, 3rd February 2024, and if you’ve not yet purchased tickets, I’d highly recommend doing so. It’s a truly spectacular show.