Gary Lucy will lead a cast that includes Andrew Dunn, Louis Emerick, Rupert Hill, Martin Miller and Bobby Schofield in The Full Monty which is coming to Milton Keynes Theatre 19 – 24 Jan
In 1997, a British film about six out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers with nothing to lose, took the world by storm becoming one of the most successful British films ever made. Now, the boys are back, only this time, they really have to go The Full Monty…live on stage!
GARY LUCY (EastEnders, winner of Dancing on Ice, Footballer’s Wives, The Bill) is Gaz; Andrew Dunn (best known as Tony in Dinnerladies as well for his regular appearances playing Alistair Campbell on Bremner, Bird and Fortune; extensive stage credits include the original productions of John Godber’s Bouncers and Up’n’Under) is Gerald; Louis Emerick – Mick Johnson in Brookside and PC Walsh in Last of the Summer Wine is Horse; Martin Miller (recent credits include Hitchcock in the New York production of The Lovesong of Alfred J Hitchcock) is Dave; Bobby Schofield, makes his stage debut as Lomper and Rupert Hill (Jamie Baldwin in Coronation Street) is Guy. The production also features the iconic songs from the film by Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones.
Writer of the film of The Full Monty, Simon Beaufoy has adapted this scrip as his first work for the theatre. His screen credits include winning the BAFTA for The Full Monty, 127 Hours, Salmon Fishing in Yemen, Slumdog Millionaire and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. This new production is directed by award winning director Roger Haines.
The original production of The Full Monty won the UK Theatre Award for Best Touring Production and was directed by Daniel Evans.This Sheffield Theatres production is presented by David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers, the multi-award winning producers of ‘Art’, Brief Encounter, God of Carnage and Calendar Girls.
I went along on opening night – these are my thoughts….
David Pugh (producer of Equus starring Daniel Radcliffe and currently working with Gary Barlow on a musical based on his previous hit Calendar Girls) told me at the opening night of The Full Monty at Milton Keynes Theatre, that it took him a while to persuade Simon Beaufoy, writer of the 1997 film to adapt the story for the stage. Thank goodness he persevered!
Simon has been able to “flesh out” the characters a little and it pays off as we really get to see their various trai…ts and hang-ups. The Full Monty is perfectly cast with popular actor Gary Lucy in the lead. The play brings us the poignancy, the difficult life in Sheffield during the 1980’s, and above all the humour of those men having to struggle to feed their families.
The night ended with a well deserved standing ovation from the packed MK Theatre. Get along to see it if you possibly can!
The Full Monty is at Milton Keynes Theatre from 19th-24th January.
Box Office: 0844 871 7652 or online: www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
