The Full Monty first hit the cinemas in 1997. Based in Sheffield where a steel factory closed and out of desperation to raise some money a group of co-workers get together to try their hand at stripping, although they have no idea where to start and openly admit that they don’t have the desired physiques.

King’s Theatre Portsmouth have bought a twist to the production which took a while to adjust to the new setting in Buffalo, United States of America. Once I had adjusted to the location and accents the story was easier to follow.

Jerry Lukowski played by Nick Williams and Dave Bukatinsky (Perry Ralls) take on the lead roles which were originally played by Robert Carlyle and Mark Addy. The script sticks close to the original one-liners in the film. These are delivered superbly and anyone who knows the original is waiting for them.

The relationships and the trauma caused by the factory’s closing down remain and like the film of the time it focuses on how men viewed themselves after their jobs were taken away. It was one of the first films to recognise and focus on men’s mental health an important step forward to allowing them to speak up.

Many of the iconic scenes remain in the production from the Gents toilet scene at the club where the ladies are watching the “professional stripper,” the attempted suicide to the auditions in the closed factory where they run into the security guards.

My favourite scene has always been when the Bailiffs turn up to remove items from Harold Nichols (Steve Reading) and the guys all appear in underwear as they are practising at his house.

Ben Ofoedu plays “Horse” along with Jacob Bailey as Ethan Girad and Dario Recchia as Malcolm Mcgregor to form The Full Monty’s cast of six. Each one brings a touch of magic to the stage and stays fairly close to the original cast.

Director Jack Edwards alongside Assistant Director Julia Worsley and the entire creative team have recreated the classic film into a fun and uplifting musical. If you want to know if they go through with The Full Monty then there’s only one way to find out.

There’s a fantastic jubilant ending to this production of The Full Monty where the theatre audience was encouraged to join in and I dare say many left the Theatre on a high note.

For more information about The Full Monty and future productions at King’s Theatre Portsmouth please use the link below.

Four Stars.

Photo credit Steve Spurgin.

https://www.kingsportsmouth.co.uk/whatson-event/the-full-monty-musical/