The Full Monty Review

Theatre makers have in recent years turned to the cinema to create stage productions. It’s a formula that is often flawed, the restrictions of live drama against the freedom of multiple locations, cinematic effects and so much more. The Full Monty started in the cinema, to huge acclaim, it touched audiences on so many levels, the dismal impact of the Thatcher era, body politics, ageing, divorce and gay oppression were all in there and for a small group of disenfranchised men the idea of forming a strip act was in their hopes their improbable salvation.

Could all this be done on stage? Well yes, and in my view better than in the film. Whilst the film is undoubtedly excellent somehow this stage production does it all better. The laughs are still there of course, how can we not laugh at this unlikely group of guys getting their kit off, of course it’s funny, but the real messages in this comedy are portrayed to far better effect by this excellent cast of both men and women of all shapes, sizes and ages.

This is heartfelt stuff and pretty timeless too, negative attitudes to size are as strong if not stronger in this world of social media, and substitute May for Thatcher and there is little difference in the sense of uncertainty in the UK. Divorce is the same, child custody too, and let’s face it – homophobia is still rife.

The cast get the whole thing right with not a weak link amongst them, the men are all believable the women too and what could be delivered as a string of stereotyped cliches is handled with humorous reality from start to finish.

Audiences my be lured into thinking that this is an excuse to see a bunch of guys go the whole way and deliver the full Monty, but what they get is a piece of excellent theatre that delivers a set of messages that are a timeless reminder of the weaknesses of humanity. A great film yes, but in this excellent production a far better play!

Theatre Royal Brighton
21 January
Andrew Kay

Rating: ★★★★★