What Goes on in Sheffield Stays in Sheffield!

Nicholas Prasad, Leyon Stolz-Hunter, Jake Quickenden, Bill Ward and Neil Hurst. Photo Ellie Kurttz

The Full Monty, Simon Beaufoy’s Award-Winning Play, at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from 2 - 7 October 2023.

Review by Margaret Mather.

What a show. Hard-hitting with a soft under-belly and plenty of good old-fashioned northern humour.

I love The Full Monty film, and it was with trepidation that I went along to see the play, hoping it would follow the lines of the film and … it did not disappoint. From the minute we sat down until the lights came up, the audience laughed, sympathised, clapped and sang along to iconic songs of the times. Who can forget Hot Stuff, You Sexy Thing and You can leave your hat on?

Leyon Stolz-Hunter, Jake Quicken, Neil Hurst and Company. Photo Ellie Kurttz

The play is set in Sheffield, which was the epicentre of the steelmaking industry until most of the foundries closed in the 1980s. Men who had followed their fathers and grandfathers before them in to the steel foundries, found themselves out of work with skills that no one wanted. They were of a time when asking for help was frowned upon, and jobs were scarce. Despair was all around and mental health suffered to the point of suicide attempts.

Neil Hurst and Danny Hatchard. Photo Ellie Kurttz

The cast play their parts to perfection. Gaz (played by Danny Hatchford) has lost his job, his marriage and nearly lost his son, but he comes up with a plan to make money. All he has to do is persuade his friends to become strippers. Gerald (played by Bill Ward) is reluctant to help and thinks he’s a cut above the rest, but they soon bring him crashing back down to earth. Dave (Neil Hurst) plays his socks off as Guy (Jake Quickenden), Horse (Ben Onwukwe), Lomper (Nicholas Prasad), and Nathan, son of Gaz (played by Theo Hills and making his first professional debut) did a magnificent job. All of the other cast members were superb.

Jake Quickenden. Photo Ellie Kurttz

The set was interchangeable and managed to convey the austerity of the period. It quickly changed from derelict steel works, to dole office, to stage door with ease and realism, and always with a backdrop of the city of Sheffield.

At the beginning of the performance we were asked not to reveal the ending. I can only say that…what goes on at the Belgrade, stays at the Belgrade.

You can find out more at www.belgrade.co.uk

Booking Office 02476 553055