full monty tour 2023 review

Review: The Full Monty at the Opera House is full of 'humour, heart and Northern soul'

Simon Beaufort's perfectly pitched play based on the 1997 smash-hit film is at The Opera House in Manchester this week

• 08:28, 14 FEB 2024

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It's hard to believe that the Academy Award-winning film The Full Monty first hit our screens more than a quarter of a century ago.

The highest grossing film in the UK when it was released, this tale of a group of unemployed steelworkers in Sheffield stripping off for cash may seem nothing more than easy comedy fodder, but it is as much about baring the men's souls as their bodies.

When Gaz (Danny Hatchard of TV's EastEnders fame) and his mates are laid off from their jobs, they need to find a way to make money, and fast. Inspired by popular male strip troupe The Chippendales, who drive their women wild at a local bar, they decide to make their own show.

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But, endearingly undeterred by their combination of imperfect bodies, advanced ages and lack of dance ability, they set out to give the women of Sheffield a more daring show than their smooth American counterparts, by going the fully naked 'Full Monty'.

The story has everything - humour, heart, a perfect pace, plus a huge dollop of determination and Northern soul.

A great story alone however does not a great show make. Fortunately though, all the actors in Simon Beaufort's perfectly pitched play more than step up to the plate.

Danny Hatchard as Gaz plays the cheeky chappie and somewhat feckless dad to a T, with Rowan Poulton playing the part of his beautifully loyal son, Nathan, with a straight-talking, boyish charm.

The dancing is predictably hilarious, highlights including the famous Funky Chicken dance from the ironically named 'Horse' (Ben Onwukwe) and some moves from Bill Ward's Gerald as if he'd just been released from a straitjacket!

Jake Quickenden plays the role of Guy with great verve, interacting with the audience and not to mention providing some much appreciated eye candy.

Adam Porter Smith as the rough and ready bar owner is delightfully bawdy, as are the laddish, crude and rude women, prompting one of the men to predict that: "When women start p****ing like us, it's all over!"

The end of the first act is, let's say, both very athletic and very memorable and has the audience in fits of laughter. The second act is even better.

With its themes of unemployment, money struggles, relationship break-ups, body image, sexuality and suicide - only a true Northern wit could get away with joking about suicide, it sounds as far from a barrel of laughs as you can get. Yet it manages to both touch and tickle you simultaneously.

Then there's the brilliant soundtrack, with iconic songs from Tom Jones, Hot Chocolate and Donna Summer, topped off by some nostalgic nineties tunes.

It's a timeless tale of triumph over adversity, of laughing at our vulnerabilities as humans, and this cast enact it wonderfully. It's simply joyful!

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Theatre promotion, review: the full monty (touring) curve leicester.

Feel-good theatre doesn’t get much more entertaining than The Full Monty at Curve in Leicester. Based on the film of the same name, the show follows Gaz (Danny Hatchard) and Dave (Neil Hurst), former steelworkers looking for work after their steel mill in Sheffield closed down.

Gaz is struggling to keep up with child support payments but loves his kid, Nathan (Cass Dempsey) who he wants to spend time with more than anything. Down-on-their-luck, Gaz and Dave come across a local club showing a Chippendales’ striptease act. Doing the sums, they realise that a male strip act could be quite lucrative.

They recruit Lomper (Nicholas Prasad), a former employee at the steel mill and now security guard, who we learn is suffering badly with depression. Also recruited is the former foreman Gerald (Bill Ward), who is hiding his unemployment from his wife, to join and teach them how to dance.

The four men hold open auditions to find more dancers. They settle on the old-but-still-got-it Horse (Ben Onwukwe) and the self-confident, muscular plasterer Guy (Jake Quickenden) who closes the first act with a big surprise.

The rest of the show follows the six men as they rehearse, tackle self-doubt and bond as a group. The success of the show really depends on the strong chemistry between this core group. It is clear that the central cast love being in the show and this boosts the enjoyment for the audience. This is no doubt helped by the strong direction of Michael Gyngell who ensures the pacing of the character interactions is at the right level.

The whole cast are all perfectly suited to their roles and their characterisations are strongly reminiscent of their respective characters in the 1997 film.

Hatchard is a strong lead. He portrays Gaz’s struggles as an unemployed father with depth and clearly shows the strength of his fatherly love in scenes with Dempsey. Dempsey, for his part, brings a cheeky joy to the role of Nathan. The audience gave his character a big cheer during one pivotal scene where he takes the role of motivator.

Hurst is brilliant to watch as Dave. He is the source of many comic moments, delivering lines with quick-wittedness. But he also adds the required emotional depth when discussing the topic of body image struggles.

Ward is especially strong in his role as Gerald. He emotes through subtle facial expressions and changes in tone of voice. His character is struggling with the change in his status and authority and the audience sympathises with him thanks to Ward’s portrayal.

Lomper’s character arc is wonderful to watch as portrayed by Prasad. He shows his character’s depression with a level of humour that is both touching and leads to genuine laughs from the audience. Prasad has particularly strong chemistry with Quickenden which allows for both of their characters to grow beyond the stereotypes. Quickenden, well develops the character of Guy from a man of big muscles to man with a big heart.

Rounding out the group of six is Onwukwe who plays Horse with wisdom and humility. His audition dance is a particularly fun scene to watch.

The set design by Jasmine Swan is impressive. Imposing metal structures loom over the stage, hissing and clunking as the cast and stage hands maneuverer and shift them into the next set. Combined with Andrew Exeter’s moody lighting and Chris Whybrow’s sound design, incorporating songs from the ‘60s to ‘80’s, the scene changes are almost dance-like.

Unfortunately, the nature of the set means it is very easy to see the cast moving into position behind closed doors in preparation for the next part of the scene, lessening the level immersion achieved. Overall, the core story of the show is a touching exploration of joblessness and facing up to adversity. All of this story development is to build up to the joyous showstopper where the cast, to the delight of the mostly female audience, go the Full Monty!

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Review: The Full Monty, New Theatre, Cardiff

Kate Griffin visits Cardiff’s New Theatre for a deep-dive review into the current UK Tour of The Full Monty.

Rising unemployment, people struggling to afford the basics, a Tory government clinging to power…thank heavens for Pulp and shell suits to clue us in that this is the mid-1990s. The Full Monty makes great use of contemporary music and references to date the action, but today’s audiences will still find the wider setting all too relatable.

We first meet no-hopers Gaz (Danny Hatchard) and Dave (Neil Hurst) when they break into the steelworks that used to employ them. They’re literally picking through the carcass of their former careers for scraps – and if that wasn’t depressing enough, they can’t even pull that off without messing up. Gaz isn’t bothered by failure, but he’s terrified of losing his young son Nathan.

And here’s the thing about The Full Monty . This story is all about men. It’s about father/son relationships, the loss of traditional male jobs, men’s mental health, male friendship, male pride. But tonight’s audience is, by a rough estimate, over 90% female. Because what does everybody think the story is about? Men getting their kit off.

Writer Simon Beaufoy has described the story as “a Trojan horse” because “there’s hardly any stripping…That’s an excuse to write about a group of men coping with unemployment.” And he covers some very serious themes in the process: crime, sexual dysfunction, suicide. But let’s face it, this wouldn’t be the same story if the unemployed steelworkers had found a route out of poverty by starting a ceramics business.

The production currently on at The New Theatre leans heavily into the bawdy aspects, with more saucy dialogue than the film. It’s funnier than the film too; perhaps the stripped-down storyline (‘scuse pun) allows more room for the jokes and set-pieces. With an ensemble piece like this you need all six leads to shine, and they do. The leads were clearly chosen for their chemistry with each other as well as for their individual talents. Meanwhile, the rest of the cast dash about ably filling multiple parts, from dance students to police officers.

But perhaps the standout role here is 11-year-old Cass Dempsey as Nathan. He is entirely believable as a boy supporting his dad’s ridiculous scheme even when it seems like a hopeless endeavour. The scene where the roles reverse and he tells Gaz off has real fire.

Jake Quickenden seems to be having the time of his life as Guy, the himbo plasterer who can’t dance but makes up for it in…other areas. Guy is the only one of the men who’s genuinely happy taking his clothes off on stage, and you get the sense that Quickenden shares his character’s enjoyment. His sense of wellbeing may not have lasted the entire evening, though. As your correspondent was leaving, crowds of women in sparkly tops were gathering around the New Theatre stage door yelling “Jake! Jake!” As the owner of the Working Men’s Club asks our heroes: “Have you ever seen a zebra taken down by a pack of lions?”

The New Theatre has given ample warning that anyone snapping phone pics of this production will be chucked out of the performance. And there’s a very good reason for that. Want to know exactly how good a reason? You’ll just have to see for yourself.

The Full Monty continues at Cardiff’s New Theatre until December 2. For ticket details visit the New Theatre website .

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The theatrical adaptation of the hit 1990s film ‘The Full Monty’ has been touring UK theatres for 2023 – 2024 and this week the tour comes to an end, finishing with 7 performances at the Marlowe Theatre here in Canterbury. Adapted for the stage by Simon Beaufoy and with a recommended age of 14+ given the adult themes and depiction of suicide, I had the opportunity to review the production on press night and I can confirm that it is a fantastic piece of theatre. Ahead of the performance I was wondering if the company and creative team would be able to recreate the magic of the film, but from the first presentation of Jasmine Swan’s set design and character introductions, it was obvious that we were in for a treat!

A masterclass in building anticipation

The story of ‘The Full Monty’ is no secret, but what I found most impressive was how the creative team have crafted the whole play to build up to the big striptease finale. Starting off slow with a focus on introductory dialogue, we are introduced to Gaz (Danny Hatchard), his son Nathan (Cass Dempsey, Theo Hills, Rowan Poulton and Jack Wisniewski), Dave (Neil Hurst) and the local community who have been rocked by the closing of the steel mine. Gaz owes his former partner child support for Nathan and after learning of the financial success of a recent stripper act at a local pub, he sets his sights on forming his own troupe. Hoping that this will be the answer to his money trouble and allow him to retain joint custody, Gaz enlists his son as the group’s manager and they set out to audition other potential dancers.

For many, the excitement for this production will come from the famous stripteases, but it is brilliant to see that the creatives haven’t let this be the only element that carries the show. There is plenty of time for character development and the poignant underlying themes, including mental health, unemployment and body confidence to name but a few.

Industrial-inspired design

Jasmine Swan’s set design is inspired, making use of steel and construction site structures in creating the derelict steel mill, the ‘job club’ (job centre), Conservative Club, local pub and more. It is extremely innovative how these structures can be repurposed to represent many contrasting locations, the only differences between each are unique layouts, custom configurations and the careful selection of smaller scale props and freestanding furniture. This combined with Sheffield skyline backdrops and Andrew Exeter’s warm lighting design, makes The Full Monty a visually pleasing show.

Scene transitions

The only drawback to the commendable set design is the slightly laboured movement of set pieces during the scene changes. The transitions are lengthy, with the performers and production team positioning the different elements of staging themselves. Lighting is used to add variety during the changeover of locations, but even with alternating colourful backdrops, the transitions still come across as a little slow. That being said, choosing to play iconic 80s tunes in these moments is a brilliant way to stay true to the time period and the music that would’ve been popular in the early 90s.

Cast performances

It goes without saying that the entire cast are absolutely fantastic, specifically the young performer who played Nathan on press night and the core line up of lads from Sheffield: Danny Hatchard (Gaz), Neil Hurst (Dave), Bill Ward (Gerald), Lomper (Nicholas Prasad), Ben Onwukwe (Horse) and Jake Quickenden (Guy). From Dave’s sensitive speeches about body image to Horse’s killer hip action, you can’t help but rally for these down to earth characters. Moments where the cast shine are the renowned job centre queue sequence and the police scenes where the group are caught in a compromising position.

A guaranteed uplifting night at the theatre!

The Full Monty really works as a stage production, bringing with it a new sense of anticipation to the source material. Led by a stellar principal cast, the camaraderie on stage is so natural, making this the perfect show to see with a group of friends. It manages to be both hilarious and sincere, highlighting many important topics through a comedy lens. The play is based in Canterbury until Saturday 13th April, with last minute tickets available via the Marlowe Theatre’s website . If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend in Kent, the UK tour of The Full Monty should be top of your list!

Thanks for reading my blog today.

Love Kat xxxx

*My ticket for The Full Monty was gifted in exchange for an unbiased review.

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The Full Monty – Review – Bradford Alhambra Theatre

By Sue Dean, November 2023

From curtain up, this stage adaptation of The Full Monty dives headlong into the gritty Northern humour and heartfelt storytelling that endeared so many to the 1997 British film, but it’s worth remembering The Full Monty is no knockabout farce. The well-known dance scenes only work alongside, not apart from, sombre source material that addresses themes of unemployment, self-acceptance, and even suicide – and at its core is a character-driven narrative about searching out an unlikely dream. It’s somewhat strange that 90% of the audience in Bradford Alhambra tonight are women, when this play is very much about men and male identity.

I wonder why that is?

The 90s setting is authentic, with meticulous attention to detail in recreating the era. The set appears to have been fashioned from Sheffield steel—a jigsaw-like, movable structure that transitions effortlessly into multiple settings, adding to the theatrical experience. The costumes too, including those iconic shell suits, transport you back to the 1990, whilst paying homage to the film.

“Authentic”

The entire cast embrace their roles with enthusiasm, maintaining the film’s charm and wit. Gaz, Dave, Lomper, Horse, and the others are portrayed with a genuine sense of camaraderie. Their chemistry is palpable, and it’s impossible not to root for their success.

The famous dole office scene, a fan-favourite, is executed beautifully. The subtle movement as Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff” commences, gradually building to a spin, is testament to the production’s on-point meticulousness. The soundtrack, filled with fantastic ’90s tunes, complements every scene change, providing smooth transitions between locations.

The performances are praiseworthy, with Theo Hills as Nathan, the self-appointed group manager, delivering well-timed one-liners with ease and is certainly an actor to watch for in the future. Neil Hurst’s authentic Sheffield accent lends credibility to his portrayal of Dave. These actors, alongside the remainder of the cast, succeed in giving their characters the depth they need and help create a credible and engaging show.

“Celebration”

Indeed, the first half builds towards a truly memorable moment prior to the interval. No spoilers, but it’s a standout scene that adds layers to the narrative and surprises even those familiar with the film.

The biggest compliment I can offer is that The Full Monty stage play successfully captures the essence of the film, upholding the themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and overcoming adversity while infusing a live energy that holds your attention throughout. It really does become a joyous experience.

When the iconic final scene unfolds, the audience joins in in celebration, irrespective of gender. Regarding the question of whether the cast go “the Full Monty,” well, that’s something theatregoers must experience for themselves. Suffice it to say, one actor does indeed “leave his hat on”.

‘The Full Monty’ is at Bradford Alhmabra until 18th November images: Ellie Kurtz

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Theatre Review: The Full Monty

Culture Writer Eve Hutchinson reviews The Full Monty, finding it to be both apprehensive and uplifting at the same time

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the release of the classic 1997 film, Simon Beaufoy’s stage adaptation of The Full Monty arrived at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham for a five-day run between Tuesday 30th January and Saturday 3rd February.

The Full Monty follows the journey of six jobless men in 1990s Sheffield who must turn to male stripping to provide for themselves and their families. As an audience member who had not engaged with the source material, I was intrigued and apprehensive by the show’s central storyline, unsure whether the play would quickly transform into a prolonged male strip show. While the stripping sequences were performed with delightful playfulness and enthusiasm, in The Full Monty I found an uplifting, funny and poignant exploration of friendship, masculinity and hope in difficult circumstances.

In The Full Monty I found an uplifting, funny and poignant exploration of friendship, masculinity and hope in difficult circumstances

The play’s focus is not on the act of stripping itself but on the lives and bonds between the performers, their reasons for choosing such a path. Danny Hatchard brings a charming vulnerability to the lovable rogue Gaz, making him a compelling protagonist worthy rooting for. Some of Hatchard’s best scene are shared with Gaz’s partner in crime Dave (Neil Hurst),a self-deprecating, obese former crane operator. When Dave risks becoming a stereotype, Hurst’s performance wins audience’s affections through Dave’s journey of learning to love himself and his body by stripping. The six actors share an easy on-stage chemistry which is reflected in the palpable bond between their characters who in the face of a crisis of masculine identity become each other’s friends and support networks.

Beaufoy’s script is punctuated by slapstick humour and visual gags, exploiting the potential for penis-related laughs to the maximum. Elderly pensioner Horse’s (Ben Onwukwe) attempts at erotic dancing combined with an arthritis problem was a particular highlight. While always eliciting laughs from the audience, the humour of the show works best when paired with emotional material enabling the sensitive exploration of topics such as sexuality, depression and financial hardship. The aftermath of 1980s Thatcherite policy on the industrial north looms large in Jasmine Swan’s set design. Utilising a multi-functional, moveable steel-work structure as the basis for the set ensures quick, seamless scene transitions and highlights the significant role industry played in the makeup of Sheffield, its collapse forcing workers to adapt to a changing, declining economic climate.

The Full Monty is a story which quickly entered the public consciousness upon its film release in 1997 and feels particularly potent during the current cost of living crisis. It is a play with a large heart and will leave you feeling warm and touched by the men’s transformation. The next stop on The Full Monty’s tour is Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea and will continue to travel around UK cities until April 2024.

Rating: 4.5/5

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The Full Monty UK Tour Review

 The Full Monty is one of those iconic British 90's movies that everyone seems to know. Whether you've seen it or not, you know the premise. A bunch of average Joe's get their kit off in order to help make ends meet whilst covering some themes such as mental health, body image, and sexuality. Whilst its origins are on the big screen, it's been living on the stage since Simon Beaufort created this award winning play in 2013. Billed as a true girl's night out, the Mayflower Theatre was certainly full of excited women ready for a fun evening ahead. 

I have to admit that this was a stellar cast. Each performer brought their own and allowed for dry humour that just fit and helped lead the story on. They truly left their inhibitions behind as they took to the stage with such sincerity and confidence. Danny Hatchard led the gang and I loved the relationship he had with his son Nathan (Theo Hills) who truly stole the show with his humour and heaps of energy on stage. To be surrounded by such big characters is a hard challenge, but he stood his own and won us over. 

Whilst I loved the premise, staging, and the way the play was presented, I did feel that the transitions between the scenes were quite long and clunky. Whilst I appreciate the moving of scenery is a massive task, at times I felt that the story was paused and the momentum dipped whilst things moved around. Despite this, I loved the show and felt that the characters truly made it special. And of course it can't be the Full Monty without the brilliant show at the end of it. To say it was blinding was an understatement! How the gang have the confidence to pull it off every day on stage is something to commend and celebrate. The audience loved it, and the actors seemed to have a fab time on stage too. 

The Full Monty is definitely a show for adult audiences. Covering themes that were touching, raw, and honest, it's a show that isn't afraid to take life by the balls and let everything hang free for the world to see. Amongst the humour, full on fun, and comedic times there is a show that takes a look at men's mental health and ways that they can band together to support each other. Whilst it's full on fun night out (quite literally!) it's also got heart to it too and is one not to be missed on the UK touring circuit. 

On at the Mayflower Theatre until 11/11/2023, it then continues on a UK tour. For more information and tickets please see below. 

The Full Monty - Mayflower Theatre Tickets

The Full Monty UK Tour Dates

*Note: tickets were gifted in exchange for a review. 

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The much-awaited new production of The Full Monty has finally hit the stage of the Buxton Opera House and drew a packed audience for its opening night.

Billed by many as the perfect Girls’ Night Out, it had its obvious attractions for many in the audience but its themes of losing hope and self-respect remain as relevant to the modern day as when the original film came to the screen and provided a highly entertaining evening for all of those who attended.

Set in the depressed post-industrial era when Sheffield’s steel mills were closing it follows the fortunes of a group of ex-work colleagues who are all suffering from the loss of their previous jobs. Gaz (Danny Hatchard of Eastenders) is close to losing access to his son Nathan (Cass Dempsey) as he fails to keep up his maintenance payments to ex-wife Mandy (Laura Matthews); Gerald (Bill Ward of Emmerdale) has yet to break the news of his redundancy to wife Linda (Suzanne Proctor) who continues to max out the credit card; Dave (Neil Hurst of All Creatures Great and Small) is going through a body-image crisis that is seriously affecting his relations with partner Jean (Katy Dean); and Lomper (Nicholas Prasad) is so depressed he can’t even commit suicide properly.

A chance meeting outside the local club allows Gaz to realise that there is money to be made from a group of male strippers. With varying degrees of enthusiasm, his fellow workmates agree to follow the madcap scheme and recruit Horse (Ben Owukwu) – an ageing guy who is suffering from arthritis but can throw a few dance moves – and Guy (Jake Quickenden of Dancing on Ice) who has no choreographic talents but has other assets that could make him a big star.

The audience is then taken on the hilarious journey as the Chippendale wannabes attempt to learn their routine and build up the nerve to show off their talents. Will the men make it to the final stage and do the Full Monty? Go to the show and all will be revealed.

The Casting Director has done an excellent job. Not only has he attracted a host of faces familiar to the audience from their television roles but has assembled a cast that throws itself into the action with enthusiasm. Hatchard is excellent as he varies from the lary lad to a man unable to cope with his problems; the role of Guy fits the very likeable Quickenden like a glove; Ward is perfect as the former foreman who is keen that his students learn from his expertise as a dance teacher; and Hurst is able to draw empathy from the audience while allowing his natural cheerfulness and comic timing to come to the fore.

All of the cast contribute to a fabulous evening but special praise must be given to the young Dempsey whose performance belied his youth. He owned the stage and stole the heart of everyone watching. A young man with a big future in theatre it would seem.

The current production is very faithful to the original film and its story remains as fresh as ever as it provides a solid story even without its much-anticipated ending. There were many moments of laugh-out-loud humour as the excitement for the final scene built up and there was raucous encouragement as the guys strutted their stuff before the finale was greeted by a prolonged standing ovation.

Be warned guys – the last ten minutes can be very rowdy!! But make no mistake, this production will run and run. It is certainly no flash in the pan!!

The Full Monty continues at Buxton Opera House until September 30 th when it begins its National Tour. For ticket information contact Buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

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The Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Buxton Opera House in association with Mark Goucher and David Pugh present

The Full Monty

Sometimes You Have To Bare All

Simon Beaufoy's award winning play based on the Fox Searchlight Pictures motion picture

BOOK NOW FOR THE FULL MONTY!

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The Full Monty

New Production of the Award-Winning Smash Hit Play The Fully Monty to Tour the UK

Celebrating the 25 th anniversary of the film, the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham & Buxton Opera House in association with Mark Goucher and David Pugh announce a major UK tour of Simon Beaufoy’s award-winning smash hit play The Full Monty opening at the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham on 14 September 2023.

Tour schedule with further dates and casting to be announced soon. www.fullmontytheplay.com

This fast and funny play is still very much of our time, as again we are hit by a cost of living crisis. Gaz and his mates are down on their luck and feel they have been thrown on the scrap heap, but they are determined to fight back and bare a little more than they ever thought they would have to.

As in the 1997 smash hit film, this brand new production is a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, laughs and heartbreak.

The Full Monty marks the first co-production and partnership between the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Buxton Opera House, which recently became an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation.

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First Look: The Full Monty on Tour

Full Cast Announced for THE FULL MONTY UK Tour

The Full Monty is directed by Michael Gyngell, choreography and intimacy co-ordination is by Ian West, Set and Costume design is by Jasmine Swann with Lighting design by Andrew Exeter and Sound design by Chris Whybrow. The Casting Director is Marc Frankum.

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New Production of THE FULL MONTY To Tour The UK

Performances begin at the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham on 14 September 2023.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the film, the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham & Buxton Opera House in association with Mark Goucher and David Pugh have announced a major UK tour of Simon Beaufoy 's award-winning smash hit play THE FULL MONTY opening at the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham on 14 September 2023.

This fast and funny play is still very much of our time, as again we are hit by a cost of living crisis. Gaz and his mates are down on their luck and feel they have been thrown on the scrap heap, but they are determined to fight back and bare a little more than they ever thought they would have to.

As in the 1997 smash hit film, this brand new production is a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, laughs and heartbreak.

THE FULL MONTY marks the first co-production and partnership between the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Buxton Opera House, which recently became an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation.

THE FULL MONTY is directed by Michael Gyngell , choreography and intimacy co-ordination is by Ian West, Set and Costume design is by Jasmine Swann with Lighting design by Andrew Exeter and Sound design by Chris Whybrow . The Casting Director is Marc Frankum .

THURSDAY 14 - SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2023

Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows/the-full-monty/

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 26 - SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2023

Opera House, Buxton

https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/the-full-monty

MONDAY 2 - SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER 2023

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/the-full-monty/

TUESDAY 10 - SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER 2023

Storyhouse Theatre, Chester

https://www.storyhouse.com/event/the-full-monty-2023

TUESDAY 17 - SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER 2023

Grand Opera House, York

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-full-monty-the-play-by-simon-beaufoy/

TUESDAY 24 - SATURDAY 28 OCTOBER 2023

Theatre Royal, Norwich

https://norwichtheatre.org/whats-on/the-full-monty/

MONDAY 30 OCTOBER - SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2023

Theatre Royal, Nottingham

https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/the-full-monty-23/

TUESDAY 7 - SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2023

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

https://www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/full-monty-2023/

TUESDAY 14 - SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2023

Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/the-full-monty

TUESDAY 21 - SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2023

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-full-monty-the-play-by-simon-beaufoy/aylesbury-waterside-theatre/

MONDAY 27 NOVEMBER - SATURDAY 2 DECEMBER 2023

Cardiff New Theatre

https://newtheatrecardiff.co.uk/

TUESDAY 5 - SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER 2023

Winter Gardens, Blackpool

https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/the-full-monty/

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New tour of ”The Full Monty” to open this autumn

The play will open at the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham on 14 September, in association with Mark Goucher and David Pugh. The tour schedule is listed below, with additional dates and casting information to be announced soon.

The Full Monty is a fast and funny play that explores the impact of a cost of living crisis on a group of friends. Directed by Michael Gyngell, the play features choreography and intimacy coordination by Ian West, set and costume design by Jasmine Swan, lighting design by Andrew Exeter, and sound design by Chris Whybrow. The casting director for the play is Marc Frankum.

The Full Monty is the first co-production and partnership between the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Buxton Opera House, which recently became an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation.

The Full Monty UK Tour Listings:

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New production of the award-winning play The Full Monty to tour the UK in 2023

By Yasmin Elkilany First Published 24 April 2023, Last Updated 24 April 2023

Celebrating the 25 th anniversary of the film, a major UK tour of Simon Beaufoy ’s award-winning smash hit play The Full Monty will be opening at the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham on 14 September 2023 !

This fast and funny play, Gaz and his mates are down on their luck and feel they have been thrown on the scrap heap, but they are determined to fight back and bare a little more than they ever thought they would have to.

As in the 1997 smash hit film, this brand new production is a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, laughs and heartbreak.

Book now at these Theatre Tokens venues:

Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

Thursday 14 – Saturday 23 September 2023

Buxton Opera House

Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 September 2023

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

Monday 2 – Saturday 7 October 2023

Grand Opera House, York

Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 October 2023

Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 November 2023

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Tuesday 21 – Saturday 25 November 2023

New Theatre Cardiff

Monday 27 November – Saturday 2 December 2023

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Theatre review: The Full Monty

Jenny booth finds much to love about the stage adaptation of the popular film.

T he world’s first full-frontal fairy tale, The Full Monty is a hilarious and endearing story. Six mismatched, out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers get together to rehearse a strip show to earn some cash.

The genius of the original film was that as well as mining the earthy humour, it made you really feel for each of the six. Each in their way is struggling, whether with feelings of failure or irrelevance, or the pressure of mounting debt.

Fans of the film can relax. The stage play which runs at New Wimbledon Theatre this week delivers fully on the iconic characters and scenes. Simon Beaufoy who wrote the film has converted it into a fast-paced stage script, injecting genuine tension – will they or won’t they make it? – and a series of well-crafted climaxes.

Director Rupert Hill wisely did not tinker with a winning formula, except to flesh out the female characters more, which enriches the show.

There isn’t a weak link in the experienced cast, all veterans of long-running TV soaps, who understand the story inside out after a lengthy tour and make us really care for their characters. Gary (EastEnders, Hollyoaks) Lucy in particular has made a fine art out of playing Gaz with mingled cockiness, frustration and tenderness, as he comes up with the desperate stripper plan to pay his maintenance arrears so he can carry on seeing his son.

The pacing is excellent. Every time a character’s plight tugs at your heart strings – when Lomper (Joe Gill) tries to hang himself, Dave (Kai Owen) reveals he is impotent, or Guy (James Redmond) explains his boyfriend is dead, for example  – the action never lingers, swiftly moving on with a black joke or some ludicrous antic.

Naturally, the path to stripper stardom does not run smooth. Along the way the characters forge friendships and help one another through their black moments. The actors drew the Wimbledon audience into their charmed circle of camaraderie, so that we were fully involved before the feelgood ending.

Set in the Thatcherite 1980s, the stage show still contains echoes of the film’s angrier political messages (“I used to think Conservatives weren’t human, more like vampires,” says Dave’s Jean). Amid a wolf-whistling and whooping live audience, watching the show felt powerfully like being on a hen night at times. But it was the universal human stories which really struck a chord, bringing tears of laughter.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

@jennydotbooth /@culturevult

• Until 4 May, New Wimbledon Theatre.

Buy tickets here.

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FX’s ‘The Full Monty’ Revival Has the Heart, if Not the Nudity, of the ’90s Original: TV Review

By Alison Herman

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The hit British film “The Full Monty” — for a brief period in 1997, the most lucrative release in U.K. history — was, in some ways, the original “Magic Mike.” The comedy chronicled six unemployed ex-steelworkers in post-Thatcher North England as they formed a stripping troupe. (The name referred to the strippers’ willingness to bare all, genitalia included.) By treating sex work as a symbol of larger economic malaise, “The Full Monty” anticipated the approach Steven Soderbergh would take stateside over two decades later. 

Popular on Variety

Such figures include Gaz’s daughter Destiny (Talitha Wing), a disaffected, sometimes delinquent teen who shares her (largely absentee) father’s rebellious streak; Dean (Aiden Cook), a bullied 12-year-old whose mother is disabled; and Silvan (Halima Alter), a Kurdish refugee who strikes up a friendship with Darren (Miles Jupp), a mild-mannered housing officer. These subplots contribute to the demographic diversity that’s a standard element of modern-day revivals. But they also feel like an organic expansion of “The Full Monty,” shifting its focus from a singular group of six men to a more multifaceted portrait of a city badly in need of investment. The series opens with a montage of politicians promising that North Britain will soon be “leveling up,” a phrase refashioned into the title of the pilot. 

This update of “The Full Monty” shares the movie’s warm-hearted humanism. What it lacks is a hook as concise and compelling as “broke friends turn to stripping” — to be fair, a tough premise to top. Instead, this new version of “The Full Monty” has a looser concept that’s harder to pin down, but still easy to enjoy. Each 50 minute installment focuses on a different Sheffield resident dealing with life’s challenges in their own way; the closest thing the show has to a focal point is the Big Baps, a cozy café owned by Lomper’s husband Dennis (Paul Clayton). Naturally, the name conjures images of more than just bread rolls , though the double entendre is about as close as “The Full Monty” gets to the ribaldry of the film.

Like the better instances of the often-exhausting reboot wave — “ Dead Ringers ,” for example, or “ Saved by the Bell ” — “The Full Monty” can feel like a Trojan horse. In today’s landscape, it might be difficult to get the greenlight for a slice-of-life dramedy about underfunded schools, midlife marriage and the British immigration system, among other less-than-glitzy themes. Simply invoking a success as undeniable as the first “The Full Monty,” which was nominated for four Academy Awards here in the States and won one (for original musical/comedy score), can help get the show off the ground. But “The Full Monty” is far from a dutiful retread. It’s charming and deceptively humble, a far more effective tribute to a feel-good touchstone than simply running back the same beats.

All eight episodes of “The Full Monty” are now streaming on Hulu.

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What do the rolling stones perform on tour check out their set list here.

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The Rolling Stones ‘Hackney Diamonds Tour’ concert experience technically starts the day before Mick, Keith and Ronnie take the stage.

On Saturday morning, fans with tickets to the Sunday, May 26 MetLife Stadium show received an email asking which song they’d like built into the following evening’s set list. The four options were:

“All Down The Line” from 1972’s “Exile On Main Street” “Heartbreaker” from 1973’s “Goat’s Head Soup” “Out Of Control” from 1997’s “Bridges To Babylon” “Bite My Head Off” from 2023’s “Hackney Diamonds”

It’s a brilliant marketing scheme by one of music’s savviest bands. If those tracks don’t sound familiar, you’ll likely go down an unexpected rabbit hole to find out which is your favorite. Alternately, Stones diehards can flash their knowledge of semi-obscure deep cuts. A true win-win.

We’ll get back to the winning song later, though. Let’s go to the show now.

At 8 p.m. sharp, New York-based group Lawrence kicked off their high-energy, brassy set. The trio doesn’t typically open for the Stones; instead all shows on the ‘Hackney Diamonds Tour’ feature a different special guest. That being said, this night, Stones fans were treated to something special. For 40ish minutes, Lawrence brought danceable, sax-y tracks with big hooks, multiple vocalists, earnest lyrics and big builds that led into triumphant choruses to the 82,500-seat football stadium turned concert venue. They even threw in inspired Sean Paul and Stevie Wonder covers for good measure. Keep an eye on their fall 2024 ‘Family Business Tour’ which includes a night at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday, Sept. 19. You won’t want to miss it.

Around 8:45, Lawrence left to impassioned cheers, having won the crowd over with their raucous, meticulous jams.

Now, the packed house played the waiting game. The always trusty Set List FM suggested the Stones would likely take the stage anywhere from 9:15 to 9:25 based on past gigs. If you ask this reviewer, that’s quite late for an AARP-sponsored show, but the Rolling Stones have defied expectations with their longevity, effortless genre-hopping and endlessly entertaining live shows for 60+ years. Why stop now?

Just as restlessness was setting in within the massive crowd, the instantly recognizable opening strings of “Start Me Up” blasted from center stage.

Then there they were: Mick. Keith. Ronnie. In all their glory.

Everyone in the Jets and Giants stadium stood and began singing along. How could you not? Still, Jagger’s powerful vocals soared above the 80,000-plus people who had likely belted “Start Me Up” in their showers for years. His unmistakable brooding croon sounded just as strong as it did in his ’60s, ’70s and ’80s heyday. Heck, maybe the heyday never ended. In any event, it was clear. We were in good hands for a rollicking good time.

From there, the Stones dropped the infectious banger “Get Off Of My Cloud” while the 80-year-old Mick began shedding layers. By song two, we were down to just an undershirt.

The evening’s first surprise came soon after when the Stones’ “Bitch,” made its ‘Hackney Diamonds Tour’ debut. With a bit of distortion, the 1971 classic took a second to register before hitting the audience in the sweet spot as Mick and Ronnie gave 150% onstage, delivering the 53-year-old ditty with a ferocious urgency.

At past shows, they performed “Shattered,” “Let’s Spend The Night Together” and “She’s So Cold” in this spot. Should you go to a future show–keep an eye out. This is where the always inventive Stones start to mix things up a bit.

Soon after, fans were treated to the new stuff. Most groups can’t pull this off; in fact, “new stuff” is practically a dirty word at live shows. However, the Rolling Stones aren’t just any band. Their searing lead single “Angry” off “Hackney Diamonds” had the packed house singing and clapping along in no time. Anyone that was skeptical of stuff they’d recorded after 1981 need not worry. These chaps are showmen and sold the polished hard rockin’ number with an intensity typically reserved for a group that has something to prove.

And with that, let’s get back to that poll we mentioned earlier.

To introduce the surprise song, Mick stopped the show and pointed to the jumbo screen behind the band. A list of well-known tracks they don’t play often scrolled, leaving the hungry crowd salivating. So many undeniable bops, so little time. Sigh. If only the band had time for “Ruby Tuesday,” “She’s A Rainbow,” “Beast Of Burden,” “It’s Only Rock and Roll,” “Out Of Time,” “Monkey Man” and so many other stone cold classics. If only.

“Heartbreaker” ended up winning the poll and the group hard launched into the heavy tune. For the next few minutes, blues met rock right in the middle, creating a perfect sonic fusion.

From there, the hit parade began. The beloved melancholy ballad “Wild Horses” bled into the infectious “Tumbling Dice.” “Whole Wide World,” off the new album, came next. It started clunkily with it simplistic lyrics ( “When The Whole Wide World’s Against You/And You’re Standing In The Rain”) but stuck the landing when Keith’s hard charging guitar morphed the song into a higher plane.

Finally, the long-awaited “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” was next. A true “stander” if you will (that’s when everybody in your section collectively decides to get up from their seat and sway to the music). Mick turned the mic on the crowd and had us sing. We were all connected. This is what we came for. This is what live music is all about.

Still, Jagger was likely exhausted at this point. As a frontman, Mick is equal parts showman, dancer and singer. He’s a true triple threat — we didn’t even mention how he played a little guitar, harmonica and maracas too (!) — and at 80, he needed a well-deserved break.

Yet, rather than subject the crowd to an intermission, sometimes vocalist Keith Richards subbed in for Mick and delivered a pair of tracks. First was the uneven, vulnerable “Tell Me Straight.” Richards, looking a bit older than his bandmates, gave it his all with the always-reliable Wood at his side. This was Keith’s moment in the sun and he clearly relished the spotlight. To close the Keith portion of the evening, he won us over with the fun “Little T&A.” Richards gave a little wave, flashed a toothy grin and retreated to his second banana station as Mick returned with a new, gold sport coat.

A stripped down “Sympathy For The Devil” blared from the state-of-the-art speakers. Cheeky, inventive graphics rolled behind the band as they put a new spin on the hummable anthem. It was the same, it was different, it was as good as ever. For our money, it’s truly unbelievable that there are still new tools in the Stones’ toolkit. They’re clearly very happy experimenting and fraying the edges of fan favorites.

The music stopped for a moment and Mick, ever the charmer, did a little crowd work. Based on applause, he found quite a few folks hailed from New Jersey; some commuted from New York. Most surprisingly, a handful traveled from Connecticut.

“Connecticut,” Jagger smiled. “I heard they have the best pizza in America.”

Boos erupted; the man clearly knew what he was doing by playing the heel for just a minute. Maybe being loved at all times gets old.

He didn’t have to wait too long to win his throngs of adoring fans back, though. The country-fried “Honky Tonk Women” and sprawling, shambolic “Midnight Rambler” made us forget about the pizza quip in no time.

What came next was the evening’s undisputed highlight.

“Gimme Shelter,” with help from otherworldly backup singer Chanel Haynes, was worth the price of admission alone. This reviewer welled up as she belted scream-cried “RAPE MURDER” making the iconic, emotional moment all her own. Excuse the hyperbole but you haven’t seen live music until you’ve heard Haynes transcend time and space going for broke on this always powerful, personal tearjerker. This truly was something else and likely won’t be forgotten by anyone that was at MetLife that night.

Still, there was more show.

And what a show.

The thrumming “Paint It Black” and lively “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” exploded next before the blokes took a bow and headed backstage.

“No ‘Miss You?'” my section cried. No “Miss You” tonight. We’d have to make do without the wordless, catchy “Hoo a hoo hoo” refrain. Oh, well. We were drunk on rock and roll and wanted one more round before last call.

Of course, they returned for an encore. Cellphones waved in the air over the pleasant “Sweet Sounds Of Heaven” before the definitive closer “Satisfaction.”

While Mick may not be able to get any, he surely delivered quite a bit to the fans.

Fans walked out grumbling over songs they didn’t play. On the walk to the NJT, strangers bonded over tracks they desperately wanted to hear but they didn’t get to. Truly a “Heartbreaker.” Even so, that’s how you know the Rolling Stones are truly great. People want more after a two-hour show? Now that’s entertainment.

Maybe they should send a poll to fans letting them pick all the songs they play on their sticky fingers crossed next tour.

Final verdict: These 80-somethings are simply built different. If you haven’t seen the Stones live and it’s on your bucket list, make catching ‘Hackney Diamonds’ a priority. This is a tour not to be missed. Mick, Keith and Ronnie might not always give you what you want (but you’ll get what you need).

Rolling Stones 2024 tour schedule

After the brief New Jersey stay, Mick, Keith, and co. have 12 more stadium concerts on their 2024 tour calendar.

For a closer look, here’s where they’re headed next (along with the special guests they’re bringing along):

The Rolling Stones set list

To keep things simple, here’s what the band brought to MetLife Stadium on Sunday, May 26, courtesy of Set List FM :

01.) “Start Me Up” 02.) “Get Off Of My Cloud” 03.) “Bitch” (tour debut) 04.) “Angry” 05.) “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)” (tour debut; fan voted song) 06.) “Wild Horses” 07.) “Tumbling Dice” 08.) “Whole Wide World”

09.) “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” (followed by band introductions)

10.) “Tell Me Straight” (live debut; Keith Richards on lead vocals) 11.) “Little T&A” (Keith Richards on lead vocals) 12.) “Sympathy for the Devil” 13.) “Honky Tonk Women” 14.) “Midnight Rambler” (tour debut) 15.) “Gimme Shelter” 16.) “Paint It Black” 17.) “Jumpin’ Jack Flash”

17.) “Sweet Sounds of Heaven” 18.) “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”

The Rolling Stones new music

On Oct. 20, the Stones released their 26th American studio album,  “Hackney Diamonds,”  featuring special guests Paul McCartney, Elton John, Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder.

Comprised of 12 hard-rocking tracks that wouldn’t be out of place alongside their singalong stadium anthems of yore, “Diamonds” shows that Mick, Keith, and Ronnie still have their sticky fingers on rock and roll’s pulse.

“We wouldn’t have put this album out if we didn’t really like it,” Jagger, 80, told Jimmy Fallon. “We must say that we are quite pleased with it. We’re not big-headed but we hope you like it.”

If you’re looking to sample the record, we suggest starting with the fierce lead track “Angry” and the wistful ballad “Dreamy Skies.”

Prefer to listen in full? You can find “Hackney Diamonds”  here .

The Rolling Stones band members

No joke — the upcoming tour is sponsored by AARP.

Rather than shy away from their age, the legendary rockers are embracing their elder statesman status.

To give you a peek at who’s in the group these days, take a look below.

Mick Jagger   (80-years-old)   lead and backing vocals, harmonica, rhythm guitar, percussion, keyboards, bass guitar  (1962–present)

Keith Richards   (80-years-old)   rhythm and lead guitars, bass guitar, keyboards, percussion, backing and lead vocals  (1962–present)

Ronnie Wood   (76-years-old)   lead and rhythm guitars, bass guitar, backing vocals, pedal steel guitar  (1975–present)

Backing musicians include Chuck Leavell, Bernard Fowler, Matt Clifford, Darryl Jones, Tim Ries, Karl Denson, Chanel Haynes, and Steve Jordan.

Their longtime drummer Charlie Watts passed away in August 2021.

Classic rockers on tour in 2024

Many AARP card-carrying heroes from yesteryear will take the stage this year and next.

Here are just five of our favorite acts you won’t want to miss live in the near future.

•  Bob Dylan with Robert Plant and Willie Nelson

•  Electric Light Orchestra

•  Ringo Starr

•  Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

•  Heart with Cheap Trick

Need more ’60s and ’70s hitmakers in your life? Check out our list of the  52 biggest classic rockers on tour in 2024  to find the show for you.

Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post

This article was written by Matt Levy , New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed Bruce Springsteen and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

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Jon Batiste to embark on The Uneasy Tour in 2024, first North American headlining tour

LOS ANGELES —  Jon Batiste , the Grammy- and Oscar-winning musician and former bandleader for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," will embark on his first North American headlining tour in support of his latest album. The expansive  "World Music Radio,"  featuring his signature rich blend of R&B, hip-hop, swing, jazz and pop, was released earlier this summer.

The tour news arrived Monday, on the heels of the  2024 Grammy nominations  announcement: Batiste is up for six Grammys, including album, song, and record of the year.

The Uneasy Tour: Purifying the Airwaves for the People will kick off Feb. 16 in Portland, Oregon, and take Batiste across the U.S. and Canada. The tour wraps in Miramar Beach, Florida, on April 27.

Along the way, he'll hit numerous cities including Seattle, San Francisco, Detroit, Philadelphia, New York and Atlanta.

"I'm into numbers, so: 20 theaters and 24 performances to bless the pivotal year 2024. For my first solo run I wanted to play in smaller venues and curate experiences that let me really feel the people while I play. Think of these 24 shows less as a tour and more as a series of 24 not to be missed experiences, each being one-of-a-kind," Batiste told The Associated Press in an exclusive statement. "We are designing these performances to be catalysts to bring people together, raise awareness for things I care about and inspire change in this country, and the world."

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

The goal, he says, is to experience his performances in "intimate, life-affirming presentations created to unite, uplift and inspire us all in this time of change and uncertainty," he explained.

How to get Jon Batiste tickets for Uneasy Tour

Presales begin Nov. 14 and tickets for the general public go on sale Nov. 17, both on Ticketmaster .

For those who can’t wait until next year for their Batiste: The multi-instrumentalist is the subject of a new documentary titled "American Symphony," which follows his journey to compose a symphony while his wife, writer Suleika Jaouad, undergoes cancer treatment. It will hit theaters on Nov. 24 and Netflix on Nov. 29.

Interested in going? Check out tickets at Vivid Seats , StubHub , SeatGeek , and Ticketmaster .

Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.