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The Full Monty (play)

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The Full Monty
Official poster of the 2014 West End production
Written bySimon Beaufoy
Date premiered2 February 2013 (2013-02-02)
Place premieredLyceum Theatre, Sheffield
GenreComedy
SettingSheffield in the 1990s[1]

The Full Monty is a comedy play written by Simon Beaufoy, from his original screenplay for the 1997 film The Full Monty. It made its world premiere at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield in February 2013, before touring the United Kingdom. A West End production was launched at the Noël Coward Theatre in February 2014. Followed by UK Tours in 2014/15 and 2016/17.

In 2023 a brand new production opened at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, produced by Mark Goucher Productions and Buxton Opera House, which is currently touring the UK until April 2024.[2]

Background

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The Full Monty is written by Simon Beaufoy[3] and marked his first attempt at writing for theatre.[4] It is based on his own screenplay[5] for the 1997 film of the same name.[6] The film itself was made on a budget of £3 million and was a sleeper hit,[7] earning over £160 million in global box office receipts becoming the highest-grossing film in the UK at the time.[8] It was nominated for four Academy Awards, winning Best Original Score and received eleven Bafta Award nominations,[9] winning four, including Best Film.[10] The film is set in Sheffield, England, and it tells the story of six unemployed men, four of them former steel workers, who decide to form a male striptease act in order to gather enough money to get somewhere else in life and for main character, Gaz, to be able to see his son.[11] An Americanised musical adaptation[12] was launched in 2000,[13] transferring to the West End's Prince of Wales Theatre in 2002.[12]

Music in the play includes "You Sexy Thing" by Hot Chocolate,[14] "You Can Leave Your Hat On" by Tom Jones,[14] "I Got You (I Feel Good)" by James Brown,[14] "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer,[14] "Flashdance... What a Feeling" by Irene Cara,[14] "The Stripper" by David Rose,[14] "Je t'aime... moi non plus" by Serge Gainsbourg[14] and "Land of a Thousand Dances" by Wilson Pickett.[14]

The play returns the story back to its Sheffield origins, rather than the Buffalo set musical.[15] On the move back Beaufoy said "Without Sheffield, there would be no Full Monty. It's been a long road – via Hollywood – but finally the characters are coming back home to the place it all started."[16]

Production history

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Original production and tour

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In May 2012, it was announced The Full Monty would receive its world premiere in Sheffield in 2013.[17] The play premiered at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield on 2 February 2013, running until 23 February. The production was directed by Daniel Evans,[18] with choreography by Steven Hoggett,[19] design by Robert Jones,[20] lighting by Tim Lutkin[21] and original music and sound design by Max and Ben Ringham.[22] The lead cast for the show included Kenny Doughty as Gaz, Sidney Cole as Horse, Craig Gazey as Lomper, Roger Morlidge as Dave, Kieran O'Brien as Guy and Simon Rouse as Gerald.[23] Following its debut in Sheffield the play embarked on an eleven venue tour[24] visiting Birmingham,[25] Bristol,[26] Canterbury,[27] Aberdeen,[28] Belfast, Edinburgh,[29] Dublin,[30] Salford,[31] Southampton,[32] Southend On Sea[33] and Leeds.[34]

London transfer

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In January 2014, the production began a short pre-West End run at the New Theatre, Cardiff, followed by the Theatre Royal in Bath.[35] The show then transferred to the Noël Coward Theatre in the West End,[36] where it began previews on 20 February 2014, before holding its official opening night on 25 February, booking until 14 June 2014.[37] The original tour cast stayed with the production[24] and tickets for the previews were sold at 1990's prices.[38] The play received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best New Comedy.[39] On 16 March, it was announced the show would close early after just five weeks[40] on 29 March,[41] due to poor sales.[42] The move surprised critics[43] and cast alike,[44] with an online petition also being launched.[45] The petition was signed by the show’s writer Simon Beaufoy, who said of the show's producers David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers, "Why would a producer close his own show before it had any chance of finding an audience?" and "On the other hand, why would a producer never come to see his own show? Perhaps he can answer these questions. I can't because he hasn't spoken either to me or the creative team in months."[46][47] The petition had no effect in terms of extending the production’s run and the play closed on 29 March,[48] to be replaced by Good People.[49]

2014–2017 tour

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A new production embarked on a 32-week tour of the United Kingdom, commencing at the Manchester Opera House,[50] on 11 September 2014.[51] Featuring a new cast, the show was seen in major venues throughout Britain, finishing back at Sheffield's Lyceum Theatre in June 2015.[52][53] The second touring production was directed by Roger Haines[54] and casting included Gary Lucy as Gaz, Louis Emerick as Horse, Bobby Schofield as Lomper, Martin Miller as Dave, Rupert Hill as Guy and Andrew Dunn as Gerald.[55] A typical London performance ran two hours and 25 minutes, including one interval of 20 minutes.

The tour continued in September 2015, with the same cast.[56] The tour continued from September 2016. Lucy, Emerick and Dunn continued in their roles, with new cast members Anthony Lewis as Lomper, Kai Owen as Dave, Chris Fountain as Guy and Fiona Skinner as Jean. The tour was directed by Jack Ryder, with choreography by Ian West, assistant direction by James Robert-Moore, design by Rob Jones, and lighting by Tim Lutkin.[57]

2023–2024 tour

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In 2023 a brand new production of the play was produced by Mark Goucher Productions, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham and Buxton Opera House. The show, directed by Michael Gyngell and produced by David Pugh, began touring the UK in September 2023 until April 2024. The cast includes Jake Quickenden, Danny Hatchard, Bill Ward, Neil Hurst, Nicholas Prasad and Ben Onwukwe.[58]

Principal roles and original cast

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Original cast doing "The Full Monty"
Character Original UK tour performer[59] West End performer[60][61] Second UK tour performer[62]
Gaz Kenny Doughty Gary Lucy
Horse Sidney Cole Louis Emerick
Lomper Craig Gazey Bobby Schofield
Dave Roger Morlidge Martin Miller
Guy Kieran O'Brien Rupert Hill
Gerald Simon Rouse Andrew Dunn
Nathan Jack Hollington
Travis Caddy
Jay Olpin
Ewan Revill 		Jack Hollington
Harry Gilby
Louis Healy 		Raif Clarke
Fraser Kelly
Evan McKevitt
Cameron Stenhouse
Mandy Caroline Carver Jo Mousley
Barry/Terry Scott Anson Stephen Donald
Alan/Alf/Jeremiah Ian Mercer
Jean Rachel Lumberg
Linda/Sharon/Annie Tracy Brabin
Bee/Job Club Employee/Michelle Elaine Glover
Brian/Reg/Man 1/Policeman Eamonn Fleming
Character UK Tour Performers 2014/2015
Barry/Terry Stephen Donald
Alan/Alf/Reg David MacCreedy
Jean/Social Worker Liz Carney
Sharon/Job Club Employee/Michelle Laura Mould
Linda/Bee/Annie Kate Wood
Brian/Police Sergeant Alan McSorley
Policeman Philip Knight
Character UK Tour Performers 2016/2017
Gaz Gary Lucy
Dave Kai Owen
Gerald Andrew Dunn
Lomper Anthony Lewis
Guy Chris Fountain
Horse Louis Emerick
Nathan James Burton
Monty Poole
Reiss Ward
Felix Yates
Barry/Terry Jonathan McGarrity
Alan/Alf/Reg William Ilkley
Jean Fiona Skinner
Mandy Charlotte Powell
Sharon/Job Club Employee/Michelle/Social Worker Jess Schofield
Linda/Bee/Annie Pauline Fleming
Brian/Police Sergeant Andrew Ashford
Policeman Adam Beresford
Character UK Tour Performers 2023/2024
Gaz Danny Boy Hatchard
Dave Neil Hurst
Gerald Bill Ward
Lomper Nicholas Prasad
Guy Jake Quickenden
Horse Ben Onwukwe
Mandy / Michelle Laura Matthews
Jean Katy Dean
Linda/ Bee / Annie Suzanne Procter
Sharon / Job Club Employee / WPC Baxter Alice Schofield
Barry / Terry / Interviewer 1 / Man 1 / Dance student Oliver Joseph Brooke
Alan / Alf / Reg Adam Porter Smith
Brian Leyon Stolz-Hunter
Phil Danny Mellor

Awards and nominations

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London production

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref
2013 UK Theatre Awards Best Touring Production Won [63]
2014 Laurence Olivier Award Best New Comedy Nominated [64]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Full Monty to Return to Yorkshire Roots for Brand-New Stage Production in Sheffield in 2013". playbill.com. Playbill. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  2. ^ "The Full Monty play Official Website".
  3. ^ Benedict, David (25 February 2014). "West End Review: 'The Full Monty'". variety.com. Variety. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  4. ^ "Sheffield Theatres' Full Monty to tour UK". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  5. ^ "New Stage Version of The Full Monty Will Transfer to the West End". playbill.com. Playbill. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  6. ^ "Stars go the Full Monty on stage in Sheffield". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  7. ^ "Full Monty Producers Sued by 2 New Zealand Playwrights". playbill.com. Playbill. 3 March 1998. Archived from the original on 23 March 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  8. ^ "Full Monty tops Bafta list". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC News. 10 March 1998. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  9. ^ "Full Monty Sweeps BAFTA Award Nominations". empireonline.com. Empire. 10 March 1998. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  10. ^ "UK Full Monty pulls it off at Baftas". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC News. 19 April 1998. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  11. ^ "The Full Monty". The Guardian. 29 August 1997. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  12. ^ a b "Full Monty gets American makeover". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC News. 15 March 2002. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  13. ^ "Broadway Gets Bare With Full Monty, Beginning Previews Sept. 25". playbill.com. Playbill. 25 September 2000. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h "The Full Monty". Noel Coward Theatre Programme: 32. March 2014.
  15. ^ McKinley, Jesse (9 June 2000). "ON STAGE AND OFF; A 'Full Monty,' Buffalo Style". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  16. ^ "Full Monty heads for Sheffield theatre". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  17. ^ "The Full Monty to premiere in Sheffield next year". thestage.co.uk/. The Stage. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  18. ^ Cavendish, Dominic (7 February 2014). "Daniel Evans interview: the man who brought hot stuff to Sheffield". telegraph.co.uk. London: The Telegraph. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  19. ^ "Nude No More! The Full Monty (the Play, Not the Musical) to Shutter Early in the West End". london.broadway.com. Broadway.com. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  20. ^ "Full Monty arrives at Lowry, 15 April". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 2 April 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  21. ^ "West End transfer for The Full Monty". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  22. ^ "The Full Monty, Stage Play Based on the Film, Announces Cast and U.K. Tour Dates". playbill.com. Playbill. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  23. ^ "THE FULL MONTY Announces Casting For 2013 UK Tour". broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  24. ^ a b "Sheffield Theatres' The Full Monty Streaks into the West End". sheffieldtheatres.co.uk. Sheffield Theatres. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  25. ^ "The Full Monty, Birmingham Hippodrome". expressandstar.com. Express & Star. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  26. ^ "The Full Monty (Bristol – tour)". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 4 March 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  27. ^ "The Full Monty (tour – Canterbury, Marlowe Theatre)". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  28. ^ "Bare-faced cheek at the HMT as the Full Monty turns up for a shift". news.stv.tv. STV. 20 March 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  29. ^ "The Full Monty, Festival Theatre". edinburghnews.scotsman.com/. Edinburgh Evening News. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  30. ^ "The Full Monty The Bord Gais Theatre". entertainment.ie. entertainment.ie. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  31. ^ "The Full Monty The Lowry, Salford". britishtheatreguide.info. British Theatre Guide. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  32. ^ "The Full Monty, Sheffield Theatres, The Mayflower – runs until April 27". basingstokegazette.co.uk. Basingstoke Gazette. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  33. ^ "Casting & tour dates announced for Sheffield Full Monty". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  34. ^ "The Full Monty, Leeds Grand Theatre, until May 18". yorkpress.co.uk. The Press. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  35. ^ "Simon Beaufoy's THE FULL MONTY to Strip Down the West End, Feb 2014". broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. 25 April 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  36. ^ "Full Monty play gets West End run". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  37. ^ "Sheffield's The Full Monty confirms West End transfer, Feb 2014". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  38. ^ "The Full Monty confirms 2014 West End transfer". westendframe.com. West End Frame. 26 April 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  39. ^ "Three West End shows are axed... does this spell the end of our love affair with musicals?". express.co.uk. Sunday Express. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  40. ^ "The Full Monty pulled from the West End". sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk. Sheffield Telegraph. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  41. ^ Clark, Nick (16 March 2014). "The Full Monty to close in West End after one month despite Olivier nomination". independent.co.uk. London: The Independent. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  42. ^ "The Full Monty's West End run to end early". bbc.co.uk/news. BBC News. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  43. ^ "The half-Full Monty: musical closing after a month as West End bosses warn of tough times". standard.co.uk. London Evening Standard. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  44. ^ "Cast 'devastated' by news of Full Monty closure". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  45. ^ "Mystery of Full Monty's final curtain". standard.co.uk. London Evening Standard. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  46. ^ "Full Monty writer signs petition against closure". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  47. ^ "Full Monty writer blames "producer-less" production for early closure". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  48. ^ "West End's Stephen Ward, From Here to Eternity, The Full Monty and The Duck House End Runs March 29". playbill.com. Playbill. 29 March 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  49. ^ "Hampstead Theatre's Good People to replace The Full Monty in the West End". thestage.co.uk. The Stage. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  50. ^ "'The Full Monty' West End Show Closing Early Following Poor Ticket Sales". huffingtonpost.co.uk. Huffington Post. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  51. ^ "The Full Monty to Shutter in West End; Further U.K. Tour Dates to Follow". playbill.com. Playbill. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  52. ^ "National Tour 2014/15". fullmontytheplay.com. The Full Monty (play). Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  53. ^ "Casting Announced for U.K. Tour of Simon Beaufoy's Play Version of The Full Monty". playbill.com. Playbill. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  54. ^ "Gary Lucy ready to bare all in The Full Monty". hinckleytimes.net. Hinckley Times. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  55. ^ "THE FULL MONTY with Gary Lucy, Andrew Dunn & More to Play King's Theatre Glasgow, 23 Sept. - 4 Oct". broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. 9 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  56. ^ "The Full Monty UK Tour 2015". britishtheatre.com. British Theatre. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  57. ^ "National Tour 2016/17". fullmontytheplay.com. The Full Monty (play). Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  58. ^ "Full Cast Announced for The Full Monty UK Tour". 22 June 2023.
  59. ^ "The Full Monty". Edinburgh Festival Theatre Programme: 13. March 2013.
  60. ^ "The Full Monty". London Noel Coward Theatre Programme: 24. March 2014.
  61. ^ "THE FULL MONTY Announces Casting For 2013 UK Tour". broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  62. ^ "THE FULL MONTY Cast For 2014–2015 UK Tour". fullmontytheplay.com. Dewynters Ltd. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  63. ^ "Sheffield dominates UK Theatre Awards, Full Monty and This Is My Family among winners". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 20 October 2013. Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
  64. ^ "Olivier awards 2014 – full nominations". The Guardian. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
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