Review, The Full Monty 2024 UK Tour, The Opera House Manchester

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Seeing The Full Monty Theatre Tour at the Manchester Opera House was a bit of a risk on my part. I love the film, who doesn’t? But I HATE strippers and have never quite got over my horrific Dream Boys experience; let’s just say it left me traumatized! But the two are very different entities. One is a story of desperation and struggle leading to extreme measures; one, don’t get me started! I am a prude by no strength of the imagination, but it’s just not my idea of having fun.

My biggest concern was that the story would be distorted in the endeavour of showing a little more butt. Dumbing down an important message behind what is in essence, a hard-hitting, gritty story of struggle and pain.

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But worry not. Simon Beaufoy’s Award-winning play does this story justice and maintains the right amount of grit and pain. Delivered with raw humour that transformed topics that should never be funny into scenes with a whole audience laughing out loud throughout the show.

Photo©EllieKurttz_The Full Monty_PRO_006_Large_Retouched

What Is the Full Monty About

In case you have lived under a rock for most of your adult life, The Full Monty tracks the tale of Gaz, Dave and their friends as they struggle through the demise of the steel works in Sheffield in the 80’s.  

Having lost their jobs as the recession and strikes hit the UK, and the industry took a hit it would never quite recover from. Gaz, separated from his wife and struggling to keep up with maintenance payments for his son Nathan, stumbles across the idea of raising the money by forming a stripper crew for one night only.

Met with disbelief from his friends and local women, he decides this is the only way and starts to build an unlikely crew of local men, all equally down in their luck, to perform The Full Monty in their local working man’s club.

The Full Monty Theatre Tour Review

The Full Monty takes a harsh look at the realities of living through the 80s and how the crash of industry affected the self-worth of the people involved.

This dramatic play deals with some harsh issues: suicide, sexuality, marriage break-up, poverty and impotence. Topics are raw and painful, yet it’s not dumbed down but approached with humour that hits the issues head-on and has the audience roaring with laughter. Real belly laughs, the whole theatre in hysterics. Yet, it still managed to address and be sympathetic towards difficult-to-discuss issues.

The Full Monty highlights that no matter the struggle and however difficult that desperation is, life is worth fighting for, and friends come in unlikely forms.

The Full Monty UK Tour Review, Opera House Manchester

Is the Full Monty A Show Worth Watching? Absolutely!

Danny Hatchard plays the perfect Gaz; I was not sure I would love him in the opening scenes, but he played it with the right amount of sass and grit. Neil Hurst portrayed the much-loved Dave to perfection, showing how vulnerable this time left so many men.  And Rowan Poulton played an incredible Nathan, torn between parents at war! The cast was incredible, creating the perfect atmosphere to tell such a challenging but entertaining tale.

The set was so simple; there were no big changes, just simple tweaks in each scene to create the atmosphere; this called for slight alterations in the story, but nothing changed the essence of the tale.

The Full Monty UK Tour Review, The Opera House Manchester

So, The Big Question is, Did They Really Do The Full Monty?

Yes !!!!! But in the most genius, tasteful way. The play is not just for girly nights; this is a story for all sexes, a fantastic story that transformed into theatre perfectly! One that all will enjoy. Although not for kids, due to the language. This is a show about how desperation fuels dramatic actions and how people survive when the odds are stacked against them.

Where Can I See The Full Monty

The Full Monty Theatre Tour is showing at the Opera House in Manchester until and including Saturday the 17th Feb.

Then at Theatre Royal Glasgow; From Tue 20 Feb – Sat 24 Feb 2024

Disclaimer, I was gifted tickets in return for a review of the Full Monty but you can’t argue with a story that has you laughing out loud for several hours, this one really is a winner.

2 thoughts on “Review, The Full Monty 2024 UK Tour, The Opera House Manchester”

  1. I understand now why you were anxious going to see this, I don’t like strippers either and am so glad to hear it’s tastefully done. It’s a most fabulous film and we all love it in our house. So glad the show was as serious, and as funny as the film. I know this is one we should go and see.

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