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Heart, Humour and Hunks! The Full Monty is a triple threat and you can enjoy the stage show in Manchester until Saturday 17 February.
I admittedly did not have the highest of expectations for this production. But oh my days, did they prove me wrong. I had a ball.
Don’t forget to read my top 10 shows to see in Manchester in 2024!
Strip Teasing Misfits
A group of Yorkshire lads are down on their luck and out of their jobs thanks to the cruel reign of Thatcher. Many industries are shut down, from mines to steel factories, where the North suffers the worst of her destruction.
Struggling to find work and already behind on his child maintenance payments, Gaz needs inspiration, and quick. And it comes in the form of the Chippendales. Before you know it, he’s recruited a bunch of men desperate for an injection of cash.
Word gets out and their ‘Buns of Steel’ show is sold out. There might not be bondage but there is sure a lot of bonding, as along the way, these strip teasing misfits find themselves forging heartwarming friendships.
Buy your Full Monty tickets here
A proper cheeky time
First things first, this show is funny with a capital F. I think us Northern audiences just get it. We get the sarcastic humour. It’s in our blood. I grew up with people like those on stage and it felt weirdly like home.
The first act ends with an enormous reveal that leaves the audience giggling into the interval, literally. After the whole show, my cheeks were sore from hours of laughing. It really is unadulterated entertainment.
The play is touching too, with a sweet father/son relationship that blossoms and insecurities being shared. Deeper matters are dealt with sensitively such as the devastating impact of aids. TRIGGER WARNING: The subject of suicide is performed and further discussed with light humour.
The acting is stellar and moves from the comical to the poignant seamlessly. You might recognise some of the more famous faces, such as Jake Quickenden and Bill Ward, but this really is a group effort. Their characters feel like genuine people.
Relive the Throwbacks
From queue dancing at the job centre to cringey auditions and even the cling film moment, fans of the film will be pleased at references to the movie. The vast skyline looming in the background is the ideal reminder that this is proudly set in Sheffield.
The musical interludes throw back some absolute bangers, which set the scene and help cover the set changes. The set itself is a feat of its own. A modular, industrial looking jigsaw that fits together in multiple configurations, bring fresh life into each scene.
The Full Monty really is ‘Hot Stuff’.
Playing at Manchester Opera House until Saturday 17 February 2024. Tickets from £16 (plus transaction fee). Also on UK tour until April 2024.
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