The Full Monty, Bradford

As you might expect, The Full Monty is very popular with the ladies but there are plenty of things that men can relate to in this faithful adaptation of the popular film from 1997.

There is depression, redundancy, loosing your children: all issues that resonate with men today.

The story follows the six out of work Sheffield steelworkers who turn to stripping to make money, with Gaz (Gary Lucy) also needing the money to have access to his son Nathan (Felix Yates).

Lucy took on the role of Gaz with ease with his cheeky chapie persona, whilst Felix Yates was innocent as young Nathan, but at times he seemed wiser than his dad and his friends.

Andrew Dunn as Ex foreman Gerald was excellent portraying a man loosing his pride when loosing his job, whilst Pauline Fleming who played his wife, Linda also took on several other parts too, throughout the night such as a pole dancer who turns up at the auditions the men are holding for their striptease act.

Louis Emerick as Horse, portrayed the Liverpudlian character with ease: the former dancer with the dodgy hip, was a scream. When asked why do they call him Horse, it could only be in Bradford when a female member of the audience shouts out the reason she thinks why!

Wibsey born actor Chris Fountain was full of confidence as Guy, whilst dopey security man Lomper played by Anthony Lewis found himself questioning his own sexuality. With no friends and only his depressing music he listens to, the security man is saved from nearly hanging himself at the steelworks to join the others in their new venture.

Kai Owen as the overweight Dave showed a vulnerable side to his character. He also used to look after the small crane at the steelworks - named naturally, Margaret!

The stage set revolves around the former steelworks and with some clever adaptations that make each scene work.

The best bits you might remember from the film are all present, such as when ex fireman Gerald goes for his job interview and the others are showing his gnomes above the interview room windows. Also the comical scene where they are all in the dole queue and Donna Summer's Hot Stuff comes on and they go into their dance routine.

The evening culminates with the 6 men going on stage and going the Full Monty, with some clever lighting stopping the audience from seeing too much.

Still a very comical and entertaining show. This is a first class production that you should go see, even the men who might be reading this.

Runs until Saturday 18 March
At Bradford Alhambra
www.bradford-theatres.co.uk
Telephone: 01274 432000